The State of Rural City’s Children & Young People 2014 Report 2

The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children & Young People 2014 Report

Executive Summary 5

Introduction 8

Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Developing Well 19

Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Safe and Secure 29

Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Engaged, Learning, Achieving 41

Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Happy and Healthy 55

Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Active Citizens 71

Appendix 1: Key Data Sources & Statistical Boundaries 74

Appendix 2: State and National Policy – Local Implementation 82

Prepared by Rachael Williams Local Logic Place PO Box 1493 Swan Hill VIC 3585 0416 201643 www.locallogicplace.com.au [email protected]

THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 3

The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children & Young People 2014 Report 4 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 5

“It is now well established that what happens in the lives of children and young people has consequences – positive and negative – right throughout their life. These have significant impacts on their functioning and opportunities as adults. Society-wide problems such as crime, poor literacy, obesity, heart disease, chronic health problems and welfare dependency often have their Executive origins in the circumstances and environments Summary experienced by children and young people.” Professor Frank Oberklaid Director, Centre for Community Child Health, The State of Bendigo’s Children Report

The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children and Young resources, and act as a baseline for knowing whether People 2014 Report was commissioned by Mildura a difference has been made over time. Rural City Council who, in doing so, recognised the critical importance of understanding how While The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children and their children and young people right across the Young People 2014 Report shows that Mildura Rural Municipality were faring. The State of Mildura Rural City’s children and young people are doing well in City’s Children and Young People 2014 Report builds many ways there remains work to be done. on the Early Years Statistical Profile undertaken by ASR Research in 2010 and is an important precursor to the Mildura Rural City Council Municipal Early Where we’re doing well Years Plan scheduled for review in 2014. Compared to the Victorian average, more children Comprehensive and accurate knowledge of how and young people in Mildura Rural City: our children and young people are currently faring together with the direction in which these • Receive their ‘Key Ages and Stages’ home visit and indicators are trending are the basis for informed more families are undertaking their 2 weeks and 4 and coordinated community-wide planning. The months ‘Key Ages and Stages’ checks, State of Mildura Rural City’s Children and Young • ATSI children are also faring better than their People 2014 Report is the foundation for not only Victorian counterparts at their ‘home visit’, 2 weeks ongoing conversations in existing partnerships but and 4 months ‘Key Ages and Stages’ checks, also for new conversations and new partnerships and, • Whilst not faring better than their Victorian in commissioning this Report, Council extends the counterparts rates of completion for the 8 weeks, invitation to all in joining this dialogue. 8, 12 and 18 months, and 2 and 3.5 years ‘Key Ages and Stages’ checks have increased for The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children and Young Mildura Rural City’s children and also for ATSI People 2014 Report examines key factors associated children at the 8 weeks, 8 months and 3.5 years with the well-being and health of children, young KAS checks, people and their families. The Report uses specific • Participate in four year old kindergarten, with this indicators to measure how children and young rate of participation improving dramatically since people in Mildura Rural City are faring compared 2008, to their Victorian counterparts and is an important first step in helping the community decide where to • Report feeling connected to school in years 5–6, focus existing resources, make the case for additional • Are fully vaccinated at 24–27 months, and 6

“...... good data..... assists efforts at advocacy, helps establish priorities, engages diverse stakeholders, and provides a baseline from which to evaluate the efficacy of any interventions.”

Professor Frank Oberklaid Director, centre for community child health, The State of Bendigo’s Children Report

• Participate in voluntary work for an organisation or • Live in families requiring Family Violence group (those aged 15 years and over). Assessments during a Key Ages and Stages visit, • Are both victims of crime and criminal offenders Areas for improvement (and subsequently more young people aged 10–17 years are on Community Based Supervision orders), Compared to the Victorian average, more children • Live in families experiencing mortgage and rental and young people in Mildura Rural City: stress, • Report being bullied between years 7 to 9, • Experience disadvantage, with the Mildura LGA ranked as the 5th most disadvantaged LGA in • Do not live in families actively engaged with the according to 2011 SEIFA data, school in supporting their child’s learning, • Live in homes rented from the State Housing • Do not live in families who regularly read to/ Authority, encouraged in their reading at home, • Are part of one parent families, • Are absent from Government schools in both Prep and Year 2, • Are part of ‘jobless’ families, • Are not meeting National Minimum Standards in • Live in families who are Health Care Card holders NAPLAN testing at all Year levels in both Literacy and receiving rent assistance from Centrelink, and Numeracy, • Require assistance with ‘core activities’, • Are without an internet connection at home, • Are ‘developmentally vulnerable’ in AEDI measures • Disengage from Earning and Learning and are including: Two or More Domains, Physical Health subsequently receiving unemployment benefits, and Well-being, Social Competence, Emotional Maturity, Language and Cognitive Skills, and • Experience pregnancy in their teens, Communication and General Knowledge, • Are not fully breastfed at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 • Enter school with emotional or behavioural months of age, difficulties, • Are not fully vaccinated at 12–15 months and • Experience Child Abuse Substantiations, are on 60–63 months of age, Child Protection Orders and are in Out-of-Home • Experience food insecurity, Care, THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 7

Merbein and surrounds Mildura central Irymple and Nichols Point Red Cliffs and surrounds Mildura Regional Wentworth–Buronga (NSW)

• Are overweight at school entry, indicators at geographically smaller predefined • Are low birth weight babies, areas. There are five Australian Bureau of Statistics • Experience smoking In utero, ‘Statistical Area 2s’ (SA2s) within the Mildura LGA, these are: • Are admitted to hospital as the result of an accident, 1. Mildura Central, • Die as infants and children aged 0–4 years, 2. Irymple and Nichols Point, • Are detected with Sexually Transmittable Infections 3. and Surrounds, as young people, 4. Red Cliffs and Surrounds and • Experience Psychiatric hospitalisations at ages 5. Regional Mildura. 10–17 years, A sixth ‘Statistical Area 2’ area is also presented, the • Are physically inactive, and Wentworth–Buronga SA2, which encompasses the • Live in families reporting inadequate work/life NSW border communities which lie adjacent to the balance and a lack of time for family. across from the . These Whilst these indicators suggest significant challenges communities include Gol Gol, Buronga, Dareton, for children, young people and their families in Coomealla, Curlwaa and Wentworth. It is widely the coming years, together with the communities recognised that the residents of these NSW border and services offering them structure and support communities seek significant service support from there is also power in this knowledge. Within these their Victorian neighbour and for this reason the challenges lie opportunities for coordination, health and well-being or their children and young collaboration, creativity and achievement, and for people influence service structure and availability to the first time a comprehensive ‘profile’ exists through children and young people in the Mildura LGA. which these achievements can be monitored. These six SA2 reports should be read in conjunction Some indicators presented in The State of Mildura with the overarching The State of Mildura Rural City’s Rural City’s Children and Young People 2014 Children and Young People 2014 Report and used Report mask variations at the community level. For to inform ‘area’ specific programming, planning and this reason the Report also presents all available development. 8

Introduction

The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children and • KAS 4 months, 2012/2013 Young People 2014 Report draws on the framework • KAS 8 months, 2012/2013 established in the DEECD The state of Victoria’s • KAS 12 months, 2012/2013 children 2012 Report and the earlier The State of Bendigo’s Children Report in developing a ‘profile’ of • KAS 18 months, 2012/2013 children and young people aged 0–18 years residing • KAS 2 years, 2012/2013 in the Mildura LGA. For consistency the same broad • KAS 3.5 years, 2012/2013 Indicators are used in The State of Mildura Rural Children visit a maternal and child City’s Children and Young People 2014 Report as health nurse- ATSI children were used in its predecessors. Additional measures within each indicator have been included where • KAS Home Visit, 2012/2013 available to create the most comprehensive picture • KAS 2 weeks, 2012/2013 possible of children and young people in the Mildura • KAS 4 weeks, 2012/2013 LGA. Importantly the report framework allows for • KAS 8 weeks, 2012/2013 further measures to be added over time and also for the direction of each measures’ ‘trend’ to be • KAS 4 months, 2012/2013 presented in subsequent reports. • KAS 8 months, 2012/2013 • KAS 12 months, 2012/2013 The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children and • KAS 18 months, 2012/2013 Young People 2014 Report presents a profile of how Mildura LGA’s children and young people are faring • KAS 2 years, 2012/2013 across five broad Indicators and as reflected by the • KAS 3.5 years, 2012/2013 following measures: Children and parents are involved in playgroups

Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Developing Well Safe and Secure Children and young people are Children are developing well by age six safe in their own homes • Children in Mildura LGA are well developed by • Child abuse substantiation* per 1,000 children their first year of school, 2012 aged 0–17 years, 2010/2011 • Physical Health and Wellbeing, 2012 • Children on child protection orders per 1,000 • Social Competence, 2012 children aged 0–17 years, 2010 • Emotional Maturity, 2012 • Children in out of home care* per 1,000 children • Language and Cognitive Skill (school-based), 2012 aged 0–17 years, 2012 • Communication Skills and General Knowledge, • Percentage of family violence incidents where 2012 children and young people aged 0–17 years are • Proportion of children at school entry with present, 2011/2012 emotional or behavioural difficulties, 2012 • Family Violence Assessments during Key Ages and Children visit a maternal and child Stages visits, 2012/2013 health nurse- all children • Safety Plans Completed during Key Ages and • KAS Home Visit, 2012/2013 Stages visits, 2012/2013 • KAS 2 weeks, 2012/2013 • Domestic / Family Violence Referrals during Key Ages and Stages visits, 2012/2013 • KAS 4 weeks, 2012/2013 • KAS 8 weeks, 2012/2013 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 9

• Proportion of children at school entry whose Indicator of Child Wellbeing: parents report high levels of family stress in the past month, 2012 Engaged, Learning, Achieving Children and young people are Families supportive of learning safe in their community • Children making good progress in adapting to the • Crime where the victim was a child or young structure and learning environment of the school person aged between 0–17 (rate per 1,000 (often or very true), 2012 children), 2011/2012 • Children whose parent(s)/caregiver(s) are actively • Crime where the offender was a child or young engaged with the school in supporting their child’s person aged between 0–17 (rate per 1,000 learning (often or very true), 2012 children), 2011/2012 • Children who are regularly read to/encouraged in • Rate of young people (aged 10–17 years) on their reading at home (often or very true), 2012 community based supervision (per 100,000 young Children are participating in kindergarten people), 2012/2013 • Kindergarten participation in the first year of • Felt safe or very safe walking alone in my local area enrolments, 2012 during the day, 2011 • Proportion of children attending kindergarten • Felt safe or very safe walking alone in my local area whose placement attracts a kindergarten fee during the night, 2011 subsidy, 2012 Children and young people are securely housed • Number of four year old kindergarten enrolments • Estimated Homeless Population, 2011 in a long day care or integrated children’s services setting, 2012 • Percentage of dwellings rented from the government housing authority, 2011 • Services enable participation in pre-school Families are financially secure • Services providing Universal Access to Early Childhood Education, 2013 • Single parent families with children aged less than 15 years, 2011 Children feel connected to school • Jobless families with children aged less than 15 • Proportion of children who report feeling years, 2011 connected to school in years 5 and 6 (combined), 2013 • Health Care Card Holders, 2012 • Proportion of children who report feeling • Percentage of low income households (households connected to school in years 7 to 9, 2013 in bottom 40% of income distribution) with mortgage stress, 2011 • Mean absence days per year Prep, 2009 • Percentage of low income households (households • Mean absence days per year Year 1, 2009 in bottom 40% of income distribution) with rental • Mean absence days per year Year 2, 2009 stress, 2011 Children and young people are achieving at school • Percentage of private dwellings with no motor • Proportion of students in Year 3 who meet or vehicle, 2011 exceed the benchmarks for literacy, 2011 • Households in dwellings receiving rent assistance • Proportion of students in Year 5 who meet or from Centrelink, 2011 exceed the benchmarks for literacy, 2011 • Students from families whose SFO category • Proportion of students in Year 7 who meet or is Unskilled / Semi Skilled Occupations or exceed the benchmarks for literacy, 2011 unemployed, 2010 • Proportion of students in Year 9 who meet or Children and young people are secure exceed the benchmarks for literacy, 2011 in their learning environment • Proportion of students in Year 3 who meet or • Proportion of children who report being bullied in exceed the benchmarks for numeracy, 2011 years 5 and 6 (combined), 2013 • Proportion of students in Year 5 who meet or • Proportion of children who report being bullied exceed the benchmarks for numeracy, 2011 between years 7 to 9, 2013 • Proportion of students in Year 7 who meet or exceed the benchmarks for numeracy, 2011 10

• Proportion of students in Year 9 who meet or • Quit Interventions during Key Ages and Stages exceed the benchmarks for numeracy, 2011 Visits, 2012/2013 Children & young people have • Quit Referrals during Key Ages and Stages Visits, access to internet at home 2012/2013 • Private dwellings with NO Internet connection, • Rate of Childhood Accidents (per 1,000 children), 2011 2011 Young people are engaged in learning or earning • Total Hospital Separations, per 1000 children aged 0 to 8 years, 2005–2008 • Full-time participation in secondary school education at age 16, 2011 • Total Hospital Separations Indigenous Children, per 1000 children aged 0 to 8 years, 2005– • Year 10–12 apparent retention rate, 2012 2008 • Proportion of young people aged 19 years who • Total Hospital Separations, per 1000 children aged have attained Year 12 or equivalent, 2011 0 to 8 years, 2005–2008 – Chapter XXI Factors • Learning or Earning at ages 15 to 19, 2011 • Total Hospital Separations Indigenous Children, • Young people aged 15 to 24 receiving an per 1000 children aged 0 to 8 years, 2005–2008 – unemployment benefit, 2012 Chapter XXI Factors Teenage Fertility Rate • Infant Deaths (all deaths under 12 months of age • Rate of live births to women aged under 19 years per 1,000 live births), 2006–2010 in the calendar year (per 1,000 women in this age • Child Mortality (1 to 4 years), average annual rate group), 2012 per 100,000, 2006–2010 • Child Mortality (under 5 years), average annual rate Indicator of Child Wellbeing: per 100,000, 2003–2007 Happy and Healthy • Rate of sexually transmissible infections* in young people aged 12–17 years (per 100,000 young Children have a healthy childhood people), 2012 • Proportion of infants fully breastfed at discharge from hospital, 2012/2013 Children have a physically active childhood • Proportion of infants fully breastfed at 2 weeks of • Physical inactivity (modelled estimate, rate per age, 2012/2013 100), persons aged 15 years and over, 2007/2008 • Proportion of infants fully breastfed at 3 months of Children and young people are age, 2012/2013 active in the community • Proportion of infants fully breastfed at 6 months of • People aged over 15 years who participated in age, 2012/2013 voluntary work for an organisation or group, 2011 • Proportion of children who are fully vaccinated at Families have time for children and young people 12–15 months, 2012/2013 • Adequate work / life balance, 2011 • Proportion of children who are fully vaccinated at • Lack of time for family / friends, 2011 24–27 months, 2012/2013 • Shares a meal with family, 2011 • Proportion of children who are fully vaccinated at Adolescents have good mental health 60–63 months, 2012/2013 • ‘Psychiatric hospitalisations’ for 10–17 year olds per • Access to Food, 2008 1,000 adolescents, 2009–2010 • Achieves usual daily intake of two or more serves • Proportion of population experiencing ‘high’ of fruit (modelled estimate, rate per 100), persons to ‘very high’ levels of psychological distress, aged 5 to 17 years, 2007/2008 2011/2012 • Proportion of children at school entry reported to Children, young people & families are be overweight, 2008 supported by positive relationships • Obese persons (modelled estimate, rate per 100), • Can you get help from family, friends or neighbours persons 18 years and over, 2007/2008 when you need it? Responding Yes, 2008 • Low birth weight babies, 2009–2011 • Feeling part of the community (range 0–100), 2011 • Smoking During Pregnancy, 2009–2011 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 11

Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Our children & Active Citizens Young People Children and young people are civically engaged Families and the community The 2011 ABS Census of Population and Housing model good citizenship collected the following age profile across the Mildura • Do you regularly volunteer your time to help out LGA: anywhere? Responding Yes, 2008 • Participation in Citizen Engagement? Responding Yes, 2011 Proportion of Indigenous Data for some indicators is not currently available, residents (of all Indigenous these include the active citizens Indicator and also residents) aged 0–4 years, 2011 along measures of adolescent mental health. These represent data gaps to be rectified at state and national level. Each measure presented includes a Victoria Mildura LGA Time Trend (if available) and offers the same data for % % our Victorian counterparts. Mildura’s data is depicted 12.3 15.6 in the shaded circle, where it’s ranking against Victoria dictates the colour: green for where we are faring ‘better than’ the rest of the state, red for Time Trend – Mildura LGA proportion when we are not faring as well as the rest of the state of Indigenous residents aged 0–4 years and amber for any measure within 0.5 of the state increasing between 2006 and 2011 measure (both above and below). Victoria 11.9% Mildura LGA 15.2%

Proportion of residents (of all An Overview of residents) aged 5–9 years, 2011 Mildura Rural City’s Population Victoria Mildura LGA % % The Mildura Local Government Area (LGA) covers 6.1 6.6 an area of 22,082.5 sq Km and is located in the most north western corner of Victoria. In the most recent Time Trend – Mildura LGA proportion ABS Census of Population and Housing, there were of residents aged 5–9 years decreasing 50,979 people in the Mildura LGA of these 49.0% between 2006 and 2011 were male and 51.0% were female. At this time the Mildura LGA had more than five times the Victorian Victoria 6.4% Mildura LGA 7.7% Indigenous population with 3.6% of the Mildura LGA population identifying as Indigenous compared to only 0.7% of the Victorian population. The median age of Indigenous people within the Mildura LGA was 18 years. This compares to a median state level age for Indigenous people of 22 years. The median age of people for the entire Mildura LGA population was 39 years, slightly older than that witnessed at the Victorian and national levels. 12

Proportion of Indigenous residents (of all Indigenous residents) aged 5–9 years, 2011 Indigenous Non-Indigenous Indigenous status not stated Total Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons

Victoria Mildura LGA Age (years): 11.3% 15.1% 0 36 26 62 291 253 544 18 17 35 345 296 641 1 26 23 49 301 273 574 13 21 34 340 317 657 2 32 27 59 311 293 604 22 16 38 365 336 701 Time Trend – Mildura LGA proportion 3 39 22 61 314 279 593 19 12 31 372 313 685 of Indigenous residents aged 5–9 years 4 23 32 55 318 302 620 14 14 28 355 348 703 increasing between 2006 and 2011 0–4 years 156 130 286 1,535 1,400 2,935 86 80 166 1,777 1,610 3,387 Victoria 12.6% Mildura LGA 12.8% 5 42 31 73 324 291 615 18 23 41 384 345 729 6 29 28 57 286 259 545 18 14 32 333 301 634 7 23 26 49 298 296 594 12 15 27 333 337 670 Proportion of residents 8 25 21 46 294 276 570 18 14 32 337 311 648 (of all residents) aged 9 33 19 52 308 301 609 21 17 38 362 337 699 10–14 years, 2011 5–9 years 152 125 277 1,510 1,423 2,933 87 83 170 1,749 1,631 3,380 10 29 22 51 323 327 650 18 17 35 370 366 736 11 26 19 45 317 345 662 25 31 56 368 395 763 Victoria Mildura LGA 6.1% 7.7% 12 20 23 43 372 347 719 20 18 38 412 388 800 13 17 19 36 385 338 723 23 24 47 425 381 806 14 18 33 51 381 352 733 20 21 41 419 406 825 Time Trend – Mildura LGA proportion 10–14 years 110 116 226 1,778 1,709 3,487 106 111 217 1,994 1,936 3,930 of residents aged 10–14 years 15 12 30 42 400 337 737 24 18 42 436 385 821 decreasing between 2006 and 2011 16 13 20 33 372 362 734 21 21 42 406 403 809 Victoria 6.7% Mildura LGA 8.1% 17 17 23 40 343 336 679 15 25 40 375 384 759 18 22 19 41 291 294 585 22 17 39 335 330 665 19 16 13 29 277 283 560 16 18 34 309 314 623 Proportion of Indigenous 15–19 years 80 105 185 1,683 1,612 3,295 98 99 197 1,861 1,816 3,677 residents (of all Indigenous residents) aged 10– 14 years, 2011

Victoria Mildura LGA 11.6% 12.3%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA proportion of Indigenous residents aged 10–14 years decreasing between 2006 and 2011 Victoria 12.4% Mildura LGA 13.5% THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 13

Indigenous Non-Indigenous Indigenous status not stated Total Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Age (years): 0 36 26 62 291 253 544 18 17 35 345 296 641 1 26 23 49 301 273 574 13 21 34 340 317 657 2 32 27 59 311 293 604 22 16 38 365 336 701 3 39 22 61 314 279 593 19 12 31 372 313 685 4 23 32 55 318 302 620 14 14 28 355 348 703 0–4 years 156 130 286 1,535 1,400 2,935 86 80 166 1,777 1,610 3,387 5 42 31 73 324 291 615 18 23 41 384 345 729 6 29 28 57 286 259 545 18 14 32 333 301 634 7 23 26 49 298 296 594 12 15 27 333 337 670 8 25 21 46 294 276 570 18 14 32 337 311 648 9 33 19 52 308 301 609 21 17 38 362 337 699 5–9 years 152 125 277 1,510 1,423 2,933 87 83 170 1,749 1,631 3,380 10 29 22 51 323 327 650 18 17 35 370 366 736 11 26 19 45 317 345 662 25 31 56 368 395 763 12 20 23 43 372 347 719 20 18 38 412 388 800 13 17 19 36 385 338 723 23 24 47 425 381 806 14 18 33 51 381 352 733 20 21 41 419 406 825 10–14 years 110 116 226 1,778 1,709 3,487 106 111 217 1,994 1,936 3,930 15 12 30 42 400 337 737 24 18 42 436 385 821 16 13 20 33 372 362 734 21 21 42 406 403 809 17 17 23 40 343 336 679 15 25 40 375 384 759 18 22 19 41 291 294 585 22 17 39 335 330 665 19 16 13 29 277 283 560 16 18 34 309 314 623 15–19 years 80 105 185 1,683 1,612 3,295 98 99 197 1,861 1,816 3,677 14

relative terms) of the entire early years and children Proportion of residents population and more than half of the entire Mildura (of all residents) aged LGA Indigenous population. 15–19 years, 2011 According to the Department of Planning and Community Development projections (summarised in the Victoria in Future 2012 data release) the Victoria Mildura LGA population of the Mildura LGA is expected to 6.5% 7.2% increase from 54,666 in 2011 to 64,288 by 2031. With average annual projected population growth expected to be similar to the average growth rate experienced over the previous 10 years (1.0%). Time Trend – Mildura LGA proportion of residents aged 15–19 years remaining the Significantly these same predictions indicate an same between 2006 and 2011 actual small increase in early years population (0–4 Victoria 6.8% Mildura LGA 7.2% years) from 3,651 in 2011 to 3,777 in 2031. However the early years population ‘falls’ as a percentage of the population from 6.7% in 2011 to 5.9% in 2031. Over the same time period there is both an actual Proportion of Indigenous and relative decline in the 5–14 year old population residents (of all Indigenous down from 7,933 (14.5%) in 2011 to 7,881 (12.3%) in residents) aged 15– 2031. Young people aged 15–24 years experience 19 years, 2011 a small increase in population from 7,055 in 2011 to 7,335 in 2031. However this cohort of the population ‘falls’ as a percentage of the population from 12.9% in 2011 to 11.4% in 2031 (DPCD, 2012). Victoria Mildura LGA 10.7% 10.1%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA proportion Population groups of Indigenous residents aged 15–19 of interest years decreasing between 2006 and 2011 Victoria 10.6% Mildura LGA 11.4% Analysis undertaken by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Social Inclusion Unit based (Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2011, http:// www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/quickstats on the ABS General Social Survey indicated that in and http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/ 2010 around 5% of Australian adults (aged 18 to 64) home/communityprofiles?opendocument&navpos=230 experienced multiple disadvantage—defined as three accessed 10/04/2014) or more types of six specified disadvantages in the areas of income, work, health, education, joblessness and support. Among those adults who experienced multiple disadvantage, almost 3 in 10 had children At the time of the 2011 Census children and young living with them (30%). Of all those experiencing people aged 0–19 years made up 28.1% of the multiple disadvantage 17% were lone parents and Mildura LGA population, the same age cohort 12% were couples with children, with children in represented 25.1% of the Victorian population. jobless families more likely than other groups to In contrast to the Mildura LGA (entire population experience multiple disadvantage (AIHW, 2013). figures) Indigenous children and young people aged 0–19 years made up 53.1% of the Mildura Most of the negative outcomes presented in The LGA Indigenous population (compared to children State of Mildura Rural City’s Children Report have and young people aged 0–19 years contributing a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged 28.1% to the entire Mildura LGA population). populations, with certain population groups These figures reveal an Indigenous early years and consistently over-represented in disadvantage children population which is almost twice the size (in THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 15

TABLE SEHQ Disadvantage – Distribution of Children across IRSD SEIFA quintiles, by population groups, Victoria, 2008

Population Group IRSD IRSD IRSD IRSD IRSD quintile 1 quintile 2 quintile 3 quintile 4 quintile 5

All children 19.5% 17.3% 16.8% 21.9% 23.3% Language background other than English 39.3% 15.0% 14.2% 15.0% 15.5% ATSI 41.4% 25.0% 14.0% 12.7% 5.0% One-parent family 31.1% 20.8% 17.7% 16.6% 12.3% Rural / Regional Areas 29.3% 31.1% 15.9% 19.1% 4.7% Metropolitan Areas 15.6% 11.8% 17.5% 23.5% 31.6%

statistics. These population groups include: low socio-economic families, public housing tenants, Level of Relative Socio- Mildura LGA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, single Economic Disadvantage parent families, people with non-English speaking 5th backgrounds, and people with a disability. For (ranked amongst all 79 example, in 2011 the School Health Entrant Victorian LGAs), 2011 Questionnaire was analysed and participating Time Trend – increasing levels of children and families were catalogued, according Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage to their demographic profile, across ABS Census in the Mildura LGA, 2006–2011 Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) quintiles. The groups most identified in the first Quintile of Disadvantage (highest level of disadvantage) were ATSI children (41.4%), LBOTE Based on 2006 Index of Relative Socio-Economic children (39.3%), one parent family children (31.1%) Disadvantage (IRSD) figures the Mildura LGA was and children from rural / regional areas (29.3%). By the 12th most disadvantaged LGA of 79 LGAs contrast only 19.5% of all children were identified as in Victoria with a decile of 2 and a percentile of in the first Quintile of disadvantage. 15. By 2011 the Census data revealed Mildura LGA as the fifth most disadvantaged LGA This section of the report briefly highlights the with a decile of 1 and a percentile of 7. prevalence of these groups within our community who are experiencing both greater and more enduring levels of disadvantage. Level of Relative Socio- Mildura LGA Economic Advantage and Certain cohorts within the Mildura LGA are 3rd experiencing significant levels of socio-economic Disadvantage (ranked disadvantage in terms of income, education, amongst all 79 Victorian occupation, wealth and living conditions. Through LGAs), 2011 the 2011 ABS Census of Population and Housing the Mildura LGA was allocated an Index of Relative Time Trend – increasing levels of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score of Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage 935 compared to the Victorian average of 1,000 in the Mildura LGA, 2006–2011 (where a lower score represents greater levels of disadvantage) with this ‘score’ worsening between the 2006 and 2011 Census periods. Applying the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) in 2011 the Mildura LGA ranked as the third most disadvantaged LGA in Victoria, falling in the highest 10% of disadvantaged LGAs (compared to ranking as the 16

17th most disadvantaged LGA for this measure, and sitting in the highest 30% of disadvantaged Percentage of Indigenous LGAs in 2006). one parent families (of

(Source: ABS Census Population and Housing Total Indigenous Family 2011 http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/ Households), 2011 DetailsPage/2033.0.55.0012011?OpenDocument accessed 01/05/13)

Percentage of homes rented Victoria Mildura LGA from the State Housing 35.4% 46.8% Authority (of all rentals), 2011

Time Trend – decreasing numbers of one parent Indigenous families Victoria Mildura LGA 10.6% 14.7% between 2006–2011 Victoria 36.6% Mildura LGA 48.8%

(Source: ABS Census Population and Housing 2011 Developed from Indigenous Community Profiles, sourced Time Trend – decreasing numbers of http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/ homes rented from the State Housing home/communityprofiles?opendocument&navpos=230 Authority, between 2006–2011 accessed 01/05/13) Victoria 12.4% Mildura LGA 17.8%

(Source: ABS Census Population and Housing 2011 http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome. Households where nsf/home/quickstats accessed 01/05/13) ‘Language other than English’ is spoken, 2011

Percentage of one parent families (of Total Family Victoria Mildura LGA Households), 2011 27.6% 13.8%

Victoria Mildura LGA Time Trend – increasing numbers of 15.5% 18.2% households where ‘Language other than English’ is spoken between 2006–2011 Victoria 25.6% Mildura LGA 12.6%

Time Trend – increasing numbers of one (Source: ABS Census Population and Housing 2011 parent families, between 2006–2011 http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome. nsf/home/quickstats accessed 01/05/13) Victoria 15.4% Mildura LGA 16.5%

(Source: ABS Census Population and Housing 2011 http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome. nsf/home/quickstats accessed 01/05/13) However refugee settlement data reveals ABS Census indicators (such as households where ‘Language other than English’ is spoken) as simplistic interpretations of any community’s culturally and linguistically diverse cohort. Refugee settlement data for the Mildura LGA reveals that of the ‘newly arrived’ population into the Mildura LGA the proportion of refugees is increasing and that the complexity of needs experienced by these individuals and families is not revealed through Census data alone. THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 17

Migration Stream by Local Government Area, Settlement Date range 1 July 2008 – 30 June 2013

Local Government Area Family Humanitarian Other Skilled Unknown Total Mildura 332 321 0 299 0 952

(Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/settlement-reporting-facility/pdf/national-local-government.pdf accessed 20/08/2013)

• Within rural and regional Victoria Mildura LGA was In addition to the above cohorts, who are now the 3rd highest resettlement area in 2011–2012, broadly acknowledged as enduringly over- behind Greater Geelong and Greater Shepparton represented in disadvantage statistics, people living (http://refugeehealthnetwork.org.au/engage/ in regional and remote areas experience shorter rural-regional). Data from the Federal Department lives and higher levels of some illnesses than people of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) accessed who live in Major cities. Regional and rural residents in August 2012 noted 216 refugee settlements are also more likely to engage in behaviours that in Mildura between 2007 and 2011. DIAC data are associated with poorer health, such as tobacco accessed in August 2013 reflecting the settlement smoking and physical inactivity (AIHW, 2012). period from 1 July 2008 through to 30 June 2013 According to the Department of Education and for the Mildura LGA is outlined in the table below. Early Childhood children living in rural and regional Victoria can experience additional social, economic and environmental challenges compared to children Percentage of children in metropolitan Victoria, which can impact on a aged 0–19 years (of all range of outcomes. At the same time, rural and children aged 0–19 years) regional Victoria has major advantages associated with strong communities, community connectedness, requiring core activities participation and engagement, and high levels of need for assistance, 2011 social capital (DEECD, 2013).

Victoria Mildura LGA 2% 2.7%

Time Trend – increasing numbers children aged 0–19 years requiring core activities need for assistance between 2006–2011 Victoria 1.6% Mildura LGA 1.8%

(Source: ABS Census Population and Housing 2011 Developed from Basic Community Profiles, sourced http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/ home/communityprofiles?opendocument&navpos=230 accessed 01/05/13) 18 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 19

Indicator of Child Wellbeing: Developing Well

Mildura LGA 86.6%

There is clear evidence from Australia and around the community can make a greater difference in the world that the early years of a child’s life have a supporting efforts to create optimal early childhood profound impact on their future health, development, development (CCCH, 2013). The AEDI measures learning and wellbeing. Research shows investing in five domains of early childhood development: social resources to support children in their early years of competence, emotional maturity, language and life brings long-term benefits to them and the whole cognitive skills, communication skills and general community. Early childhood development outcomes knowledge, and physical health and wellbeing. These are important markers of the welfare of children, and five domains are closely linked to the predictors of can predict future health and human capital (CCCH, good adult health, education and social outcomes. 2013). This section explores children’s wellbeing Teachers complete AEDI Checklists for children in terms of their preparedness for school across in their first year of formal schooling where their a range of social, cognitive and physical domains development is rated as being on track, at risk or including statistics captured through Australian Early vulnerable (DEECD, 2013). Children are considered: Development Index (AED)I data and involvement with Maternal and Child Health (MCH). • Developmentally ‘on track’ if they score above the 25th percentile (in the top 75%) of the national population in the 2009 AEDI data collection. • Developmentally ‘at risk’ if they score between the 10th and the 25th percentile of the national Children are population in the 2009 AEDI data collection. developing well • Developmentally ‘vulnerable’ if they score by age six below the 10th percentile (in the lowest 10%) of the national population in the 2009 AEDI data collection (CCCH, 2013). The AEDI is a population measure of children’s With the release of 2012 AEDI results for the first development as they enter school. A population time comparisons can be made over two time measure places the focus on all children in the periods to indicate change in the status of early community, recognising that moving the focus of childhood development, both for Victoria as a whole effort from the individual child to all children in and at the local level. Whilst the results for Victoria 20

were positive, with a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of children who were vulnerable Physical Health and overall, the results for the Mildura LGA were mixed. Wellbeing, 2012 As indicated above, developmentally ‘vulnerable’ children are those who score below the 10th percentile (in the lowest 10%) o f the national AEDI Victoria Mildura LGA population. These children demonstrate a much 92.2% 88.1% lower than average ability in the developmental competencies measured in that domain. It is these children who are reported on in The State of Mildura Time Trend: Mildura LGA Rural City’s Children Report. worsening between 2009–2012 Victoria 92.3% Mildura LGA 89.4%

Children in Mildura (Source AEDI 2009 & 2012) LGA are well developed by their first year of school, 2012 What does this mean for Mildura LGA children? In 2012 11.9% of children (95 of 802 surveyed) in Victoria Mildura LGA % % their first year of school were ‘developmentally 90.5 86.6 vulnerable’ in the following three sub-domains:

• Physical readiness for school day – Have at least Time Trend: Mildura LGA worsening sometimes experienced coming unprepared for slightly between 2009–2012 school by being dressed inappropriately, coming to school hungry or tired. At the Victorian level 10.8% Victoria 90.0% Mildura LGA 86.8% of children experience concerns, in the Mildura (Source AEDI 2009 & 2012) LGA 14.0% experience concerns. • Physical independence – Range from those who have not developed one of the three skills (independence, handedness, coordination), to In 2012 13.4% of children (107 of the 802 children those who have not developed any of these skills. surveyed) in their first year of school in Mildura LGA At the Victorian level 6.4% of children experience were developmentally vulnerable in two or more concerns, in the Mildura LGA 8.9% experience domains. These figures had worsened slightly since concerns. 2009 when 13.2% of the 620 children surveyed (82) were vulnerable in two or more domains (further data • Gross and fine motor skills – Range from those who is provided on the following page). Over both time have an average ability to perform skills requiring periods Mildura LGA children were faring worse than gross and fine motor competence and good or their Victorian counterparts. average overall energy levels, to those who have poor fine and gross motor skills, poor overall At the national level analysis of AEDI data energy levels and physical skills. At the Victorian would indicate that the proportion of children level 6.2% of children experience concerns, in the developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains Mildura LGA 11.0% experience concerns. varies across population groups. Groups more likely to be developmentally vulnerable included boys (30%), children living in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas (32%), those with a language background other than English (32%), Indigenous children (47%), and those living in Very remote areas (47%) (AIHW, 2012). Additionally children who did not attend preschool in the year before school were found to be more developmentally vulnerable than children who did (DEECD, 2013). THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 21

What does this mean for Mildura LGA children? Social Competence, 2012 In 2012 7.8% of children (63 of 802 surveyed) in their first year of school were ‘developmentally vulnerable’ in the following areas:

Victoria Mildura LGA 91.9% 89.5% • Pro-social and helping behaviour – Never or almost never show most of the helping behaviours including helping someone hurt, sick or upset, offering to help spontaneously, and inviting others Time Trend: Mildura LGA improving to join in. slightly between 2009–2012 • Anxious and fearful behaviour – Often show most Victoria 91.6% Mildura LGA 88.9% of the anxious behaviours; are worried, unhappy,

(Source AEDI 2009 & 2012) nervous, sad or excessively shy, indecisive; and are upset when left at school. • Aggressive behaviour – Often show most of the aggressive behaviours; they get into physical fights, What does this mean for Mildura LGA children? kick or bite others, take other people’s things, are In 2012 10.5% of children (84 of 802 surveyed) in their disobedient or have temper tantrums. first year of school were ‘developmentally vulnerable’ • Hyperactivity and inattention – Often show most of in the following areas: the hyperactive behaviours; they could be restless, distractible, impulsive; they fidget and have • Overall social competence – Have average to poor difficulty settling to activities. overall social skills, low self-confidence and are rarely able to play with various children and interact cooperatively. Language and Cognitive • Responsibility and respect – Only sometimes Skill (school-based), 2012 or never accept responsibility for actions, show respect for others and for property, demonstrate self-control, and are rarely able to follow rules and Victoria Mildura LGA take care of materials. 93.9% 90.5% • Approaches to learning – Only sometimes or never work neatly, independently, are rarely able to solve problems, follow class routines and do not easily adjust to changes in routines. Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening between 2009–2012 • Readiness to explore new things – Only sometimes or never show curiosity about the world, and Victoria 93.9% Mildura LGA 91.6%

are rarely eager to explore new books, toys or (Source AEDI 2009 & 2012) unfamiliar objects and games.

What does this mean for Mildura LGA children? Emotional Maturity, 2012 In 2012 9.5% of children (76 of 802 surveyed) in their first year of school were ‘developmentally vulnerable’ in the following areas:

Victoria Mildura LGA 92.8% 92.2% • Basic literacy – Do not have most of the basic literacy skills; have problems with identifying letters or attaching sounds to them, rhyming, may not know the writing directions and how to write their Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving own name. slightly between 2009–2012 • Interest in literacy/numeracy and memory – May Victoria 91.7% Mildura LGA 90.5% not show interest in books and reading, or maths

(Source AEDI 2009 & 2012) and number games, or both, and may have difficulty remembering things. 22

• Advanced literacy – Have only up to one of the advanced literacy skills; cannot read or write simple Proportion of children at words or sentences, and rarely write voluntarily. school entry with emotional or • Basic numeracy – Have marked difficulty with numbers, cannot count, compare or recognise behavioural difficulties, 2012 numbers, may not be able to name all the shapes and may have difficulty with time concepts. Victoria Mildura LGA 4.3% 4.9% Communication Skills and General Knowledge, 2012 Time Trend – Mildura LGA decreasing between 2010–2012 Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria 4.3% Mildura LGA 5.8% % % 92 89.7 (Source School Health Entrant Questionnaire http:// www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/Pages/ vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014)

Time Trend – Mildura LGA remaining the same between 2009–2012 Victoria 91.7% Mildura LGA 89.7%

(Source AEDI 2009 & 2012) Children visit a maternal and child What does this mean for Mildura LGA children? health nurse In 2012 10.3% of children (83 of 802 surveyed) in their first year of school were ‘developmentally vulnerable’ in the following area: The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service delivers a free, universally accessible statewide • Communication skills and general knowledge – service to all families with children aged from birth Range from being average to very poor in effective to school age. Maternal Child Health services play a communication, may have difficulty in participating key role in supporting children and their families by in games involving the use of language, may be providing 10 ‘key ages and stages’ consultations from difficult to understand and/or have difficulty in birth to 3.5 years, including an initial home visit. MCH understanding others and may show little general nurses assess and monitor the health, growth and knowledge. development of children and provide information and advice on breastfeeding, appropriate nutrition, child behaviour, parenting and maternal physical and emotional health and wellbeing. MCH services also deliver a flexible service component, including first time parents groups, other group sessions, additional consultations and community strengthening activities (DEECD, 2013). Active participation by families in early childhood programs such as Maternal and Child Health services can foster positive learning and development and lessen or eliminate the effects of disadvantage before they become entrenched. THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 23

Nationally and internationally health experts support the concept of universal access primary health KAS 2 weeks, 2012/2013 care services for young children and their families. Primary health care services are believed to be the most appropriate and effective platform for Victoria Mildura LGA improving the health, development and wellbeing % % of children through early detection, prevention 97 98 and health promotion. Importantly, opportunities for sequential health monitoring and surveillance outside the Maternal and Child Health Service have Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving been reduced in the past decade for many families between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 by factors such as early discharge from maternity Victoria 98.0% Mildura LGA 96.0% hospitals, non-universal take-up of the medical postnatal check at six weeks, and children born (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) overseas without access to primary care services. These factors taken together with the increasing complexity of Australian families emphasise the critical role of the Maternal and Child Health nurse KAS 4 weeks, 2012/2013 (Local Logic Place, 2012).

Certain groups within our communities are over Victoria Mildura LGA represented amongst ‘under users’ of Maternal and % % Child Health. These groups include families with 96 94 low incomes, young parent families, sole parent families, Indigenous families, families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, families Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening experiencing unstable housing or homelessness, between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 families experiencing domestic violence, families Victoria 97.0% Mildura LGA 95.0% with a parent living with a disability, problematic substance use or mental health concern, and (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) families who have been in contact with child protection services.

KAS 8 weeks, 2012/2013 KAS Home Visit, 2012/2013

Victoria Mildura LGA % % Victoria Mildura LGA 96 95 101% 102%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria 96.0% Mildura LGA 94.0% Victoria 100.0% Mildura LGA 100.0% (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) 24

KAS 4 months, 2012/2013 KAS 18 months, 2012/2013

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 94% 95% 74% 70%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria 94.0% Mildura LGA 93.0% Victoria 71.0% Mildura LGA 64.0%

(Source DEECD Maternal and Child (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) Health 2012/2013 Data Report)

KAS 8 months, 2012/2013 KAS 2 years, 2012/2013

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 86% 83% 71% 64%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria 85.0% Mildura LGA 79.0% Victoria 69.0% Mildura LGA 61.0%

(Source DEECD Maternal and Child (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) Health 2012/2013 Data Report)

KAS 12 months, 2012/2013 KAS 3.5 years, 2012/2013

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 82% 82% 66% 59%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria 82.0% Mildura LGA 78.0% Victoria 63.0% Mildura LGA 51.0%

(Source DEECD Maternal and Child (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) Health 2012/2013 Data Report) THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 25

ATSI Children visit a maternal and KAS 8 weeks, 2012/2013 child health nurse

Victoria Mildura LGA 79% 77% KAS Home Visit, 2012/2013 Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria Mildura LGA 96% 98% Victoria 83.0% Mildura LGA 61.0% (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report)

Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 KAS 4 months, 2012/2013 Victoria 100.0% Mildura LGA 93.0%

(Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) Victoria Mildura LGA 75% 83%

KAS 2 weeks, 2012/2013 Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria 79.0% Mildura LGA 59.0% % % 86 92 (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report)

Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 KAS 8 months, 2012/2013 Victoria 95.0% Mildura LGA 91.0%

(Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) Victoria Mildura LGA 64% 52%

KAS 4 weeks, 2012/2013 Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria 63.0% Mildura LGA 34.0% % % 83 74 (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report)

Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria 87.0% Mildura LGA 78.0%

(Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) 26

KAS 12 months, 2012/2013 KAS 3.5 years, 2012/2013

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 61% 37% 52% 27%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria 62.0% Mildura LGA 41.0% Victoria 45.0% Mildura LGA 17.0%

(Source DEECD Maternal and Child (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) Health 2012/2013 Data Report)

KAS 18 months, 2012/2013 Children and parents Victoria Mildura LGA are involved in 51% 28% playgroups

Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening Playgroups provide valuable opportunities for between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 children to learn and develop through play. Victoria 53.0% Mildura LGA 39.0% Playgroups foster and develop children’s language and motor skills, expose children to sensory (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) experiences and enhance social skills. Playgroups and parent groups also create opportunities for parents to meet in a safe and supportive environment and learn new skills, develop social networks and build linkages KAS 2 years, 2012/2013 to other services. Many Victorian families participate in community playgroups that are self-managed by the parents and caregivers who attend the playgroup.

Victoria Mildura LGA New parents often attend parent groups facilitated 53% 31% by their local maternal and child health service. Many of these parent groups evolve into self sustaining social networks and/or community playgroups. Disadvantaged and vulnerable families, however, are Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening less likely to participate in such groups. between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Victoria 50.0% Mildura LGA 36.0% Supported playgroups and parent groups (SPPI) are facilitated or led by an appropriately qualified (Source DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) worker and are targeted at disadvantaged families who are less likely to attend a community group including Indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse, recently arrived, socio-economically disadvantaged families and those affected by disability. Supported playgroups and parent groups provide parents and caregivers with opportunities to share experiences and develop parenting skills, capacity and confidence. The initiative builds parents’ capacity to support their child’s health, development, THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 27

learning and wellbeing and aims to increase families’ participation and linkages with other early years services and supports (www.education. vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/health/ playgroupparentgroupinit.pdf accessed 13/03/2014).

At the time of writing the report there were as many as 24 playgroups operating across the Mildura LGA. Many of these were community playgroups delivered by the families themselves, others were facilitated playgroups delivered specifically to certain community groups by organisations such as District Aboriginal Services, Mallee Family Care, Zoe Support and Mallee Ethnic Communities Council. The third playgroup ‘form’ were dedicated supported playgroups funded by DEECD and delivered by a qualified worker. Of all the playgroups operating across the Mildura LGA three were supported playgroups, two of which were operating in central Mildura (Butterflies and Pacific Islander) with the third operating along the Mallee Track. The Supported Playgroup Coordinator was also assisting with the development of two additional community playgroups in and Nangiloc/Colignan. 28 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 29

Indicator of 2 Child Wellbeing: Safe and Secure

Safe environments and communities not only protect issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders children from harm but also promote children’s and substance misuse. Effects such as poor health, psychological wellbeing by allowing them to exercise welfare and social relationships often continue into their independence through making decisions and adulthood. Children are particularly vulnerable to taking on new challenges. Families, communities and harm in families experiencing multiple disadvantages, services can work together to protect and nurture such as housing instability, poverty, low education, children while also preventing neglect and abuse. social isolation, neighbourhood disadvantage, Whilst the majority of Victoria’s children grow up parental substance misuse and mental health in safe and secure communities and environments, problems (AIHW, 2013 and DEECD, 2013). there is a small group whose family environment does not support their safety or development. In Australia, statutory child protection is primarily Participation in community life, having reliable the responsibility of state and territory governments. social / family / peer support and being connected Departments responsible for child protection provide to one’s culture are important protective factors for support and assistance to the most vulnerable children and families experiencing difficulties that children and families, in collaboration with the non- may increase their susceptibility to risk factors (AIHW, government sector, which delivers a broad range of 2013 and DEECD, 2013). services (AIHW, 2013). Child protection reports refer to allegations made to an authorised department by persons or other bodies of child abuse or neglect, child maltreatment or harm to a child. A client is classified as re-reported if a prior notification was Children and young made in the past 12 months. The number of child people are safe in protection notifications in Victoria has increased over the last ten years. Abuse is substantiated if there is their own homes reasonable cause to deem that a child has been, is being, or is likely to be abused or neglected or otherwise harmed. Note that trends in substantiations For a small number of Victorian children, child abuse can be influenced by a range of factors, including and neglect continue to be an issue. Abuse and legislative changes, enhanced public awareness, neglect have both immediate and long-term adverse inquiries into child protection processes and real consequences for children including poor physical changes in abuse and neglect. health, attachment problems, reduced social skills, learning and developmental problems, a higher The rate of substantiations per 1,000 children is likelihood of criminal offending and mental health highest for those under the age of one, both within 30

“Family violence continues to be a big problem in the Mildura PSA but levels of recidivism is reducing. Police and family violence related agencies continue to work together on this very serious crime type”.

INSPECTOR SIMON CLEMENCE, Mildura Police Service Area (PSA)

Victoria and Australia as a whole. As a result of child protection orders children may be placed in out- Child abuse substantiation* of-home care (AIHW, 2013 & DEECD, 2013). At the per 1,000 children aged national level the number of children living in out-of- 0–17 years, 2010/2011 home care increased by 27% between 30 June 2008 and 30 June 2012. Indigenous children were also 10 times as likely to be in out-of-home care than non- Indigenous children (AIHW, 2013). Victoria Mildura LGA 6.7 13.2 Family violence is also a clear risk factor in a child’s development. Across Victoria there has been a steady increase in the number of children present at Time Trend Mildura LGA experienced family violence incidents between 2008–2009 and decreasing rates of child abuse substantiation 2011–2012, commensurate with the increase in the between, 2009/2010 – 2010/2011 number of reported incidents overall. Once again this rise in reports of family violence incidents may Victoria 5.8 Mildura LGA 15.5 be attributable to an increase in the community’s * Number of investigations of child abuse confidence to report and to changes to policing notifications for children aged 0–17 years strategies. old that were substantiated. Substantiations are those finalised investigations of child maltreatment that result in a conclusion that a child has been or is likely to be abused, neglected or otherwise suffer harm.

(Source: Client Relationship Information System, Department of Human Services http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 31

Children on child protection Percentage of family violence orders per 1,000 children incidents where children and aged 0–17 years, 2010 young people aged 0–17 years are present, 2011/2012

Victoria Mildura LGA 5.4 15 Victoria Mildura LGA 36.3% 35.9%

Time Trend not available

(Source: Client Relationship Information System, Department Time Trend Mildura LGA increase in of Human Services http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ family violence incidents where children research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) and young people were present between 2007/2008 – 2011/2012 Victoria 35.7% Mildura LGA 30.6%

Children in out of home (Source: Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), care* per 1,000 children Victoria Police http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) aged 0–17 years, 2012

Victoria Mildura LGA Family Violence Assessments 5 7.1 during Key Ages and Stages visits, 2012/2013

Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing rates of children in out of home Victoria Mildura LGA care between 2008 – 2012 24% 30% Victoria 4.2% Mildura LGA 8.4% * Care type includes kinship care, part of home based care, home based care, Time Trend – Mildura LGA increasing other home based care, facility based between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 care and independent. Victoria 23.0% Mildura LGA 26.0%

(Source: Client Relationship Information System, Department (Source: DEECD Maternal and Child of Human Services http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ Health 2012/2013 Data Report) research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) 32

Safety Plans Completed Proportion of children at during Key Ages and school entry whose parents Stages visits, 2012/2013 report high levels* of family stress in the past month, 2012

Victoria Mildura LGA 0.8% 1.2% Victoria Mildura LGA 11.4% 11.9%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA increasing between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Time Trend Mildura LGA reported Victoria 0.7% Mildura LGA 0.4% high levels of family stress increasing between 2009 –2012 (Source: DEECD Maternal and Child Health 2012/2013 Data Report) Victoria 10.5% Mildura LGA 10.5%

(Source: School Entrant Health Questionnaire (SEHQ)**, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ Domestic / Family Violence Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) Referrals during Key Ages and Stages visits, 2012/2013 * Number of children at school entry whose parents report high levels of family stress in the past month (based on the question ‘Sometimes, families have Victoria Mildura LGA times when there is more stress/pressure than usual. 1.2% 1.3% Overall, how would you rate your own family’s stress level over the last month?’ Answers are on a 5 point scale and this indicator counts responses in the highest two categories). Examples of ‘stressors’ Time Trend – Mildura LGA increasing include: separation and divorce of parents, death between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 of friend or relative, move to new house, parent(s) Victoria 1.8% Mildura LGA 0.9% change of job, parents loss of job, new baby in (Source DEECD Maternal and Child house, remarriage of parent(s), serious illness of Health 2012/2013 Data Report) parent(s), serious illness of sibling(s), history of abuse to parent, history of abuse to child(ren), alcohol or drug related problem in family, history of mental illness of parent, child witness to violence, parent witness to violence, gambling problem in family.

** The SEHQ is a critical source of information relating to the types of stressors experienced by children in the 12 months prior to the questionnaire being completed. Children were more likely to have been affected by a stressful event or family issue in the twelve months prior to the SEHQ if they were from a one parent family, Aboriginal family, from the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas or from a rural/regional area. THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 33

Children and young people are safe in Crime* where the victim was their community a child or young person aged between 0–17 (rate per 1,000 children), 2011/2012 Violence can have a range of short and long term negative effects on young people’s physical and psychological health, and can also increase the risk Victoria Mildura LGA of young people victimising others. The ABS Crime 10 16.2 Victimisation Survey collects information about self-reported incidents occurring in the previous 12 months among people aged 15 and over. Nationally in 2011–12, among the 3.1 million young people Time Trend Mildura LGA slightly aged 15 to 24 in Australia 5.9% were victims of decreasing rates of children or physical assault, 5.5% were threatened with assault, young people as victims of crime 0.9% were victims of robbery and 1.0% were victims (per 1,000 children) between of sexual assault (age 18–24 only). During 2008–09 2007/2008 – 2011/2012 and 2009–10, 22% (118 people) of all homicide Victoria 9.8 Mildura LGA 17.0 victims were aged under 25, including 49 people * Includes crimes against property, crimes who were aged under 18 (AIHW, 2013). against the person and other offences. Nationally involvement in crime tends to be highest (Source: Law Enforcement Assistance Program, Victoria Police http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ in adolescence and early adulthood. In 2010–11, Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) police proceeded against 175,300 young people aged 10 to 24, amounting to almost half (47%) of all people proceeded against by police that year. Rates of offending were highest among young people Crime* where the offender was aged 15–19 (57 per 1,000) and decreased steadily a child or young person aged with age (AIHW, 2013). In 2010–11 theft was the most between 0–17 (rate per 1,000 common principal (or most serious) crime among young people aged 10–14 (36%) and 15–19 (25%) children), 2011/2012 who were proceeded against by police.

Youth justice is the responsibility of state and territory Victoria Mildura LGA governments, and each has its own legislation, 24.4 45.3 policies and practices. Across Australia, young people may be charged with a criminal offence if they are aged 10 or over. Young people first enter the Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing justice system when they are proceeded against by rates of children or young people as police (when legal action is initiated for an offence). criminal offenders (per 1,000 children) Police proceedings include both court actions (the between 2007/2008 – 2011/2012 laying of charges that must be answered in court) and non-court actions (such as cautions, conferencing, Victoria 28.8 Mildura LGA 48.2 counselling or infringement notices). Young people * Includes crimes against property, crimes in the youth justice system (or juvenile justice system) against the person, drug offences and are a particularly vulnerable group, often coming other offences. from relatively disadvantaged backgrounds as well as being a group at risk of continued and more (Source: Law Enforcement Assistance Program, Victoria serious criminal behaviour later in life. Nationally, on Police http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ an average day, youth under supervision were 83% Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) male, 79% aged 14–17 and 39% Indigenous (AIHW, 2013). 34

Rate of young people (aged Felt safe or very safe 10–17 years) on community walking alone in my local based supervision (per 100,000 area during the day, 2011 young people), 2012/2013

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 97% 97.1% 2.4 7.2

Time Trend – Mildura LGA experienced Time Trend Mildura LGA whilst the rates an increase in feelings of safety during of young people on community based the day between 2007–2011 supervision* (per 100,000 children) Victoria 96.0% Mildura LGA 94.7% between 2008/2009 –2012/2013 appear (Source: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/ to have remained static a significant wellbeing_reports/mildura and http://www.vichealth.vic. ‘spike’ of 9.9 (young people per gov.au/~/media/Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_ 100,000) occurred in 2010/2011.\ VicHealth_factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014) Victoria 2.7 Mildura LGA 7.2 * Community order types include probation, youth supervision, youth parole Felt safe or very safe walking order, youth attendance order, interstate alone in my local area community order and youth residential during the night, 2011 parole order.

(Source: Law Enforcement Assistance Program, Victoria Police http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ Victoria Mildura LGA Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) 70.3% 56.1%

Separate to the actual incidences of crime parental perceptions of neighbourhood safety can also affect Time Trend – Mildura LGA experienced children’s daily activities where a fear of exposing an increase in feelings of safety during children to risks may lead parents to restrict them the night between 2007–2011 from outdoor activities. The Community Indicators Victoria 66.4% Mildura LGA 52.1% Victoria Survey 2007 and later the VicHealth (Source: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/ Indicators Survey 2011 revealed increasing wellbeing_reports/mildura and http://www.vichealth.vic. perceptions of safety amongst Mildura LGA gov.au/~/media/Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_ community members, although at each time point VicHealth_factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014) (2007 and 2011) Mildura LGA residents’ perceptions of safety were lower than their Victorian counterparts. Recent research shows that there are relationships between homelessness, child abuse and neglect, and criminal activity among young people. For example, there is evidence that children who have been abused or neglected are more likely to be involved in crime, and more likely to experience homelessness, than those who have not. Research by the AIHW examined multiple- sector involvement among young people in three community-sector data collections: the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) National Data Collection (superseded by the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection in THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 35

2011), the Juvenile Justice National Minimum Data Set (JJ NMDS), and child protection notifications Percentage of dwellings and substantiations in Victoria and Tasmania to find rented from the government that whilst only 1% – 2% of the general population receive homelessness services each year yet: housing authority, 2011 • 15% of those under juvenile justice supervision received homelessness services in the year before their most recent supervision, and 8% received Victoria Mildura LGA services in the year after, and 2.8% 4.4% • 6% of those with a substantiated child protection notification received homelessness services the year before their most recent substantiated Time Trend – Mildura LGA notification, and 7% in the year after. decreasing numbers of houses Further to this whilst only 1% of Australians aged 16 rented from the government housing or 17 are under juvenile justice supervision each year authority between 2006–2011 more than 10% of those who received homelessness Victoria 3.1% Mildura LGA 5.0% support as an adult had a history of juvenile justice supervision (AIHW, 2013). (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014)

Data from the NMPCP Community Health Children and and Wellbeing Profile (2011, p. 96) for the young people are 2007/2008 period shows the public housing securely housed retention rate in Mildura LGA as lower than the Victorian average at 76.5% compared to 87.3%, further increasing housing instability. According to ABS estimates based on the 2011 The stability of housing tenure is an important Census, 44,100 children and young people aged 0 to component of maintaining a safe environment for 24 were considered homeless on Census night—42% children. While owning your own home is not a of the total homeless population. This included guarantee of housing stability, home ownership is 17,800 children aged under 12 (or 54 per 10,000 considered to be the most stable form of housing, children), 10,900 children aged 12–18 (56 per 10,000 followed by rental accommodation in the private children) and 15,300 young people aged 19–24 (88 sector and public housing. Analysis of the ABS per 10,000 children). Children and young people Census of Population and Housing 2011 by DEECD who were homeless were most commonly living in found that for Victorian families with children aged severely crowded dwellings (54%) (AIHW, 2013). 0 to 8 years there was a clear difference in housing stability between one parent and couple families, Homelessness in young people can have negative with couple families far more likely to own their social and health consequence including high rates home either outright or through a mortgage than of mental health problems, behavioural disorders, one parent families (74.8% compared to 39.5%) disrupted schooling and increased likelihood of (DEECD, 2013). engaging in risky behaviour. Homeless youth also have increased levels of risk of assault, poor nutrition and inadequate shelter (AIHW, 2013).

Specialist homelessness services deliver support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. According to data from the AIHW’s Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC) almost half (47%) of all clients assisted by specialist homelessness agencies were aged 0–24 years, with 19% of all clients aged under 12, 13% aged 12–18 and 14% aged 19–24 (AIHW 2013). 36

With the Census estimating 42% of the total • 10.5% had both parents (or one parent in a single homeless population being aged between 0–24 parent family) unemployed (DEECD, 2013). years and the Australian Institute of Health and Families solely or largely dependent on government Welfare estimating the same age cohort to constitute support for their income have the lowest incomes 47% of the total homeless population extrapolating and fewest resources. Children from these families Mildura LGA data would suggest that at least 107 of can be deprived of items considered essential by the 256 (42%) homeless people in the Mildura LGA Australian standards, including access to medical are aged between 0–24 years. and dental treatment, a substantial meal once a (Source: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/ day, school activities and outings, secure housing DetailsPage/2049.02011?OpenDocument accessed 19/05/2014) and warm clothes and bedding. The lack of these resources means children from very low income ALL HOMELESS PERSONS, households are more likely to face lower achievement Australia–by place of enumeration, 2011 in education, have worse economic prospects and have poorer health outcomes (AIHW, 2012 and All homeless persons 2013). Increasingly children in welfare dependant Mildura LGA 256 families are more likely to get caught in a cycle Irymple 15 of intergenerational disadvantage and welfare dependency. Merbein 11 Mildura Central 211 A number of indicators, drawn principally from the Mildura Region 8 2011 ABS Census data, speak to the financial security Red Cliffs 11 of families across the Mildura LGA.

Single parent families with Families are children aged less than financially secure 15 years*, 2011

Economic security can be a contributing factor to

positive outcomes for children. There are many Victoria Mildura LGA elements that contribute to the economic security 19.6% 27.9% of a family, including median family income, parental employment status, housing stability, the ability to raise money in an emergency and access to government support (DEECD, 2013). Of Of all families across the Mildura LGA with these parental education and employment are key children aged less than 15 years 27.9% were measures of socioeconomic status. Generally families single parent families compared to only without an employed parent have low income 19.6% at the Victorian level. and are often more socially isolated. One parent families are more likely than couple families to be NOTE Time Trends could not be reliably unemployed or not in the labour force. Parental offered because the denominator for this education is linked not only to employment and indicator has changed from the data PHIDU income but is also a key predictor of child education published from the 2006 ABS Census of and health outcomes. Evidence suggests that the Population and Housing. The denominator higher the education level of the mother, the more is now ‘Total families with children under 15 likely it is that a child will have positive outcomes. years’, not simply ‘Total families’. Among Victorian families with at least one child aged under eight years: * as a percentage of all families with children aged less than 15 years

• 10.1% had both parents (or one parent in a single (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2011 parent family) who had not completed Year 12, http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health-atlas- of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) • 28.9% of families had both parents (or one parent in a single parent family) with an educational qualification of Diploma or higher and THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 37

Jobless families with children Health Care Card aged less than 15 years*, 2011 Holders*, 2012

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 12.3% 20.2% 8.6% 11.7%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA Time Trend – Mildura LGA decreasing increasing rates of jobless proportions of Health Care Card families between 2006–2011 Holders between 2009–2012 Victoria 13.7% Mildura LGA 17.8% Victoria 9.1% Mildura LGA 12.7% Of all families across the Mildura LGA * As a percentage of all people aged 0–64 with children aged less than 15 years years 20.2% were jobless families compared to only 12.3% at the Victorian level. (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 [unpublished] http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social- health-atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) * as a percentage of all families with children aged less than 15 years

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 Percentage of low income [unpublished] http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social- health-atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) households (households in bottom 40% of income distribution) with Research broadly acknowledges the increased health and wellbeing risks faced by children living in more mortgage stress*, 2011 disadvantaged areas. Possession of a Health Care Card has become a useful ‘proxy’ when considering disadvantage. Research by the School Victoria Mildura LGA of Population and Global Health, in partnership 11.4% 11.9% with DEECD, has found that when considering a range of measures of disadvantage, children listed on a pension/Health Care Card had the poorest Time Trend – Mildura LGA outcomes. After assessing a range of measures increasing levels of mortgage of disadvantage within the SEHQ, including stress between 2006–2011 low SES families, single parent families, LBOTE, Aboriginality, rurality, low parental education, Victoria 9.2% Mildura LGA 10.5% being born outside Australia and having a mother * This data comprises households in the born outside Australia, being listed on a pension/ bottom 40% of income distribution (those health care card was the found to be the biggest with less than 80% of median equivalised risk factor for behavioural and emotional difficulties income), spending more than 30% of and developmental concerns. It was strongly and income on mortgage repayments. most consistently associated with a higher risk of behavioural and emotional difficulties by 3.5 (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & times and developmental concern by 2.8 times. 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) 38

Percentage of low income Households in dwellings households (households receiving rent assistance in bottom 40% of from Centrelink, 2011 income distribution) with rental stress*, 2011 Victoria Mildura LGA 14.5% 22.7% Victoria Mildura LGA 25.1% 28% Time Trend – Mildura LGA increasing rates of households receiving rent assistance between 2006–2011 Time Trend – Mildura LGA increasing levels of rental stress between 2006–2011 Victoria 13.7% Mildura LGA 20.1% Victoria 24.5% Mildura LGA 27.6% (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health-atlas- * This data comprises households in the of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) bottom 40% of the income distribution (those with less than 80% of median income), spending more than 30% of their With regard to parental employment status income on rent. the Northern Mallee LLEN, through its 2012 Environmental Scan (p. 54), presented Student (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & Family Occupation (SFO) Data for government 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- schools only in the Mildura LGA and noted the atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) following. Victorian level data was not made available in the NMLLEN Environmental Scan. Percentage of private dwellings with no motor vehicle, 2011 Students from families whose SFO category is Unskilled Victoria Mildura LGA / Semi Skilled Occupations 8.4% 8.3% or unemployed, 2010

Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving Mildura LGA slightly between 2006–2011 44.9% Victoria 9.0% Mildura LGA 8.5%

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- Time Trend – Mildura LGA significantly atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) increasing rates of students from families whose Student Family Occupation category was Unskilled / Semi Skilled Occupations or unemployed between 2006–2010 Mildura LGA 32.4% THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 39

Children and young people are secure Proportion of children in their learning who report being bullied environment between years 7 to 9, 2013

Children who are bullied are more likely to Victoria Mildura LGA feel disconnected from school, and have lower 20.4% 26.3% academic outcomes, including lower attendance and completion rates. Socially, these children have a greater tendency to be withdrawn, lack Time Trend Mildura LGA slightly quality friendships at school, experience lower increasing rates of being bullied reported acceptance by peers, avoid conflict and display high at years 7 to 9 between 2009–2013 levels of emotion that indicate vulnerability and low levels of resilience. They are also more likely Victoria 24.7% Mildura LGA 26.0% suffer from low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, (Source: Student Attitudes to School Survey http:// feelings of loneliness, isolation and suspicion. www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/Pages/ Children who are bullied are also at greater risk of vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) developing substance abuse behaviours in later years (DEECD, 2013).

Proportion of children who report being bullied in years 5 and 6 (combined), 2013

Victoria Mildura LGA 14.9% 14.8%

Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing rates of being bullied reported in years 5 and 6 between 2009–2013 Victoria 18.6% Mildura LGA 21.4%

(Source: Student Attitudes to School Survey http:// www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/Pages/ vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) 40 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 41

Indicator of 3 Child Wellbeing: Engaged, Learning, Achieving

Families supportive The importance of reading to children during their early years is demonstrated by the Melbourne of learning Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research using the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). The research found that four year olds who The informal learning activities which parents engage are read to every day (as opposed to 1–2 days a in with their children before school age have a week) have better outcomes not only in literacy and substantial impact on children’s social and cognitive numeracy (including NAPLAN) but also relating to development. Parents are involved in a range a range of cognitive skills up to age nine. These of informal learning activities with their children improved outcomes equate to the same effect as including reading, playgroups, physical and musical being almost six months older (reading 3–5 days per activities, using technology and watching television/ week compared to two or less) and just under one videos. The ABS Childhood Education and Care year older at age eight or nine (reading 6–7 days per Survey 2011 indicated that Australian parents of week compared to two or less) (DEECD, 2013). children aged from 0 to 2 years were most involved in their children’s informal learning through reading The Australian Early Development Index draws on and musical activities. For children aged 0 to 8 years, teachers’ measures of ‘School Transition’ noting assisting with homework and playing sport or other that beginning school is one of the key transitions physical activities were also popular ways for parents undertaken during childhood, where a smooth to be involved in learning activities (DEECD, 2013). transition between a child’s before-school setting The Survey also found that children were more likely and the school environment increases the likelihood to have parental involvement in a learning activity of continuous learning. The AEDI report offers three when at least one parent was employed (93%), than enablers of a positive school transition for which when no parent was employed (86%). More than half the following Mildura LGA and Victorian results are of children (52%) in couple families were involved in reported below. a reading activity every day, compared with 40% of children in one-parent families (AIHW, 2012). 42

Children making good Children who are regularly progress in adapting to read to/encouraged in the structure and learning their reading at home environment of the school (often or very true), 2012 (often or very true), 2012

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 79.4% 66.6% 78.8% 73.1%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening Time Trend – Mildura LGA slightly between 2009–2012 worsening between 2009–2012 Victoria 79.5% Mildura LGA 67.8%

Victoria 79.9% Mildura LGA 74.4% (Source: AEDI 2009 and 2012)

(Source: AEDI 2009 and 2012)

Although Victorian level data was not reported, nor were 2014 comparisons available in the Social Health Children whose parent(s)/ Atlas of Victorian Local Government Areas (2011) of caregiver(s) are actively those Mildura LGA respondents asked ‘If you have engaged with the school school aged children, are you actively involved with activities in their school’ 56.3% agreed ‘yes’. in supporting their

child’s learning (often (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 http://www.publichealth. or very true), 2012 gov.au/data/social-health-atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014)

Victoria Mildura LGA 77.5% 63% Children are participating in kindergarten Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening between 2009–2012

Victoria 75.8% Mildura LGA 64.5% Participation in quality early childhood education

(Source: AEDI 2009 and 2012) has substantial positive effects on children’s social and cognitive development and school readiness. This has been shown to be especially so for children from disadvantaged families. Benefits from participation include better intellectual development and independence, sociability and concentration, cognitive development in the short term and preparation for success in school. Recent research, by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research using the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children (LSAC), can now also demonstrate the advantage that pre-school attendance has on later NAPLAN results. After controlling for socio- demographic characteristics in Australian children, a causal effect between pre-school attendance and Year 3 NAPLAN outcomes remains across all domains THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 43

(numeracy, reading, spelling, writing, grammar The Kinder for All research also revealed the impact and punctuation). This ‘pre-school advantage’ of socio-economic disadvantage on kindergarten is equivalent to 10 to 15 NAPLAN points or the participation. Of the four schools involved in the equivalent of 15 to 20 weeks of schooling at the Year Kinder for All research, kindergarten participation 3 level (DEECD, 2013). in the year preceding the research (2012) varied from a low of 64% up to 88% (with an average of The National Partnership Agreement on Early 78.5% kindergarten participation). The research Childhood Education (NP ECE) established that, from acknowledged that the schools contributing to 2013 onwards, every child would have access to a the research were drawn from those local areas quality early childhood education program delivered with recognised histories of vulnerability and by a qualified early childhood teacher for 15 hours disadvantage. a week, 40 weeks a year, in the year before starting full-time schooling. A National Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Collection was Kindergarten participation developed to improve data to support the NP ECE. in the first year of According to the ABS National ECEC Collection for enrolments, 2012 2011, Australia wide, 85% of children were enrolled in a preschool program in the year before full-time schooling with attendance rates higher amongst children: Victoria Mildura LGA 98% 98.7% • in couple families (88%) compared with one-parent families (73%), • with at least one parent employed (89%) compared Time Trend Mildura LGA significantly with those with no parent employed (68%), and increasing rates of kindergarten • with higher parental income, 92% among children participation between 2008–2012 whose parents earned $2,000 or more per week Victoria 92.4% Mildura LGA 79.3% compared with 80% among children whose parents Numerator: Number of first year earned less than $1,000 per week (AIHW, 2013). enrolments in kindergarten Research has also revealed lower rates of Denominator: Number of 3 year old participation in pre-school / kindergarten are likely children based on the previous year’s for Indigenous children, CALD children, children estimated resident population from areas of socio-economic disadvantage, children (Source: Children’s Services On Line [CHISOL], DEECD from single parent families and vulnerable and http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ disadvantaged children. Whilst current data on Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) kindergarten participation by Indigenous families was not available the Kinder for All 2013 research noted that between 2004 and 2008 the Mildura LGA had an average of 43.6 Aboriginal children enrolled in four year kindergarten each year. However over these documented five years, the number of Aboriginal children enrolled in four year old kindergarten in Mildura LGA was reported to decrease at an average rate of 4.4 enrolments per year (DEECD, 2009). This decline occurred against an actual growth in the Early Years population within the Indigenous community, for example at the time of the 2011 Census there were 220 0–4 year olds in the Mildura LGA compared to 195 0–4 year olds during the 2006 Census. 44

Services enable Proportion of children participation in attending kindergarten pre-school whose placement attracts a kindergarten fee subsidy, 2012 From the pre-school program delivery perspective there were challenges for services in meeting the

Victoria Mildura LGA National Partnership Agreement on Early Childhood 24.6% 48.4% Education mandate. Across the Mildura LGA these were recognised in the 2013 Kinder for All research as workforce availability, financial viability (specifically for the rural services the Small Rural Grants Initiative) Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing and adequate infrastructure (this was particularly proportion of kindergarten the case for the urban and semi urban services). participants receiving ‘fee At the time of this research (2013) nine of the 14 subsidy’ between 2008–2012 kindergarten services (64%) in the Mildura LGA Victoria 27.3% Mildura LGA 52.2% (including the Murrayville and services which were being delivered in an integrated (Source: Children’s Services On Line [CHISOL], DEECD http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ LDC setting) were delivering a ‘full’ 15 hours of Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) kindergarten programming to four year olds (where ‘full’ indicated all enrolled groups were receiving 15 hours of programming). Significantly all five of the ‘rural’ kindergartens (Millewa, Nangiloc, , Number of four year old Murrayville and Underbool) had achieved Universal kindergarten enrolments in a Access and were delivering 600 hours of kindergarten long day care or integrated programming in 2013. Of the remaining nine ‘urban’ and ‘semi-urban’ kindergarten services (De Garis, children’s services setting, 2012 Irymple, Kathleen Kelly, Merbein, Mildura South, Mildura West, Pasadena, Red Cliffs and St Margaret’s) five had not achieved full 15 hours of programming Victoria Mildura LGA for all enrolled groups. Four of these five services 23.2% 3.4% were located in ‘central’ Mildura (Local Logic Place, 2013). At the Victorian level in 2013, more than 94% of funded services were offering a 15 hour program (DEECD, 2013). Time Trend Mildura LGA declining number of four year old Of the five Mildura services not delivering ‘full’ kindergarten enrolments in LDC Universal Access in 2013 one service was delivering setting between 2011–2012 15 hours of programming to two of the three Victoria 20.6% Mildura LGA 5.1% kindergarten groups offered (66% of students) (Source: Children’s Services On Line [CHISOL], DEECD and a second service was delivering 15 hours of http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ programming to one of the three kindergarten Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) groups offered (30% of students). At the time of the research for both these services the recruitment of an additional staff member would facilitate ‘full’ Universal Access to all enrolled groups. THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 45

Data for the third quarter of 2013 indicated that Services providing Universal 1,030 approved Victorian services had received a Access to Early Childhood rating by 30 September 2013. Victoria has a higher number of services rated as meeting or exceeding Education, 2013 the NQS than for Australia (77% for Victoria compared to 58% for Australia) (DEECD, 2013). At the Mildura LGA level of the 14 Pre-schools providing Victoria Mildura LGA pre-school programming across the LGA (including 94% 64% the Murrayville and Underbool integrated services) eight were ‘Provisional – Not Yet Assessed under the National Quality Framework’, the remaining six received Overall Ratings of Meeting (4) or Exceeding Time Trend – not available (2) the National Quality Standard. Of the Pre-school (Source: Kinder for All Report 2013, Mildura Rural City Council) services assessed across the Mildura LGA 100% were meeting or Exceeding the NQS compared to their Victorian (77%) and Australian (58%) counterparts. The National Quality Framework (NQF) was established in 2012 and applies to most long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten and outside school hours care services. The National Quality Standard (NQS) is a key aspect of the Children feel framework and sets a national benchmark for connected to school services covered by it in Australia. The seven quality areas covered by the NQS are: School connectedness refers to an academic 1. Educational program and practice, environment in which students believe that adults 2. Children’s health and safety, in the school care about their learning and about 3. Physical environment, them as individuals. Although connecting students 4. Staffing arrangements, to school is important at all year levels, it’s especially 5. Relationships with children, crucial during the adolescent years. In the last 6. Collaborative partnerships with families and decade, educators and school health professionals communities and have increasingly pointed to school connectedness 7. Leadership and service management. as an important factor in reducing the likelihood that Services covered by the National Quality Framework adolescents will engage in health-compromising are assessed and rated against each of these seven behaviours. A connected school environment also Quality Areas. Assessment and rating of services increases the likelihood of academic success. commenced in mid–2012, and the ratings of those services that have been assessed are available on the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority and MyChild websites. The rating levels for each Quality Area are:

• Exceeding National Quality Standard • Meeting National Quality Standard • Working Towards National Quality Standard • Significant Improvement Required

Services yet to be assessed or those that have been assessed but are yet to receive their final rating are noted as ‘Provisional – Not Yet Assessed under the National Quality Framework’ (http://www.mychild. gov.au/pages/ECANatQualityFramework.aspx accessed 20/05/2014). 46

students in Year Prep to Year 3 are absent for around Proportion of children who 14 days of school per year – a pattern that does not report feeling connected vary from year to year. There are slight differences in absenteeism in terms of gender and location, to school in years 5 and with girls and those in rural Victoria having slightly 6 (combined), 2013 higher numbers of days absent. However the largest difference is for Aboriginal students, who averaged between 23 and 26 days of absence in 2012 (for Prep

Victoria Mildura LGA and Year 3 respectively), an average of 10 days more 85.8% 88% than their non-Aboriginal peers (DEECD, 2013).

Time Trend Mildura LGA increasing rates Mean absence days per year of feeling connected to school reported Prep for students enrolled in in years 5 and 6 between 2009–2013 Government schools, 2009 Victoria 82.3% Mildura LGA 81.6%

(Source: Student Attitudes to School Survey http:// www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/Pages/ Victoria Mildura LGA vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) 14.7 16

Proportion of children who Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing report feeling connected to numbers of mean absence school in years 7 to 9, 2013 days between 2007–2009 Victoria 14.7 Mildura LGA 18.5

(Source: Mildura Rural City Early Childhood Community Victoria Mildura LGA Profile, 2009, DEECD School Census Data, unpublished) 61.7% 57.2%

Mean absence days per year Time Trend Mildura LGA slightly Year 1 for students enrolled in decreasing rates of feeling connected to school reported at years 7 to 9 Government schools, 2009 between 2009–2013 Victoria 58.0% Mildura LGA 58.2% Victoria Mildura LGA (Source: Student Attitudes to School Survey http:// www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/Pages/ 14.4 14.9 vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014)

Time Trend Mildura LGA increasing School attendance is reported as children who numbers of mean absence are enrolled and actually attending school, rather days between 2007–2009 than just enrolments. Regular school attendance is important for children to obtain the full benefits Victoria 13.8 Mildura LGA 14.3

of schooling, such as the development of the (Source: Mildura Rural City Early Childhood Community building blocks for lifelong learning and educational Profile, 2009, DEECD School Census Data, unpublished) attainment, social skills and healthy self-esteem. Conversely, absenteeism limits a child’s opportunity to learn and can exacerbate self-esteem issues, social isolation and dissatisfaction (AIHW, 2013). Government school absence data shows a peak in absenteeism between Years 8 and 10, however THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 47

Research has demonstrated that children’s NAPLAN Mean absence days per year performance improves with higher levels of parental Year 2 for students enrolled in education. Performance is also higher where parents are in the professional categories of employment and Government schools, 2009 lower where parents are not in the paid workforce. Analysis of NAPLAN results from 2008 through to 2012 for grades 3 indicate that some population Victoria Mildura LGA groups have lower achievement, for example 14 15.3 Aboriginal children have lower achievement than their non-Aboriginal peers and children with a Language Background Other Than English (LBOTE) also have slightly lower achievement. Recent research Time Trend Mildura LGA increasing by the Melbourne School of Population and Global numbers of mean absence Health linked student records for the School Entrant days between 2007–2009 Health Questionnaire (Prep) to NAPLAN results in Victoria 13.1 Mildura LGA 13.8 Year 3, to examine factors that influence performance

(Source: Mildura Rural City Early Childhood Community in NAPLAN. This research showed that: Profile, 2009, DEECD School Census Data, unpublished) • children at high risk of developmental problems at school entry demonstrated lower average reading Further data provided by DEECD through the scores at Year 3 on NAPLAN 2011, compared to Schools Information Portal shows absenteeism trends children not at risk, continuing in 2013 with slight increases across all • having a history of abuse was associated with lower reported year levels. For example, in 2013 Mildura NAPLAN achievement, LGA Prep students missed an average of 16.11 • children from a single parent family and from a days each year (compared to 16.0 in 2009), year 1 non-English speaking background were more likely students missed an average of 15.43 days each year to be performing at or below NMS in NAPLAN (compared to only 14.9 in 2009) and year 2 students (80% and 20% respectively), in the Mildura LGA missed an average of 15.51 days each year (compared to 15.3 days in 2009). • speech and language difficulties were associated with a two-fold higher risk of performing at or below NMS in NAPLAN and • non-attendance at early childhood services (such as preschool/ kindergarten and 3.5 year Maternal and Children and Child Health visit) was associated with a higher risk young people are of performing at or below NMS in NAPLAN (AIHW, achieving at school 2013 and DEECD, 2013).

Literacy and numeracy skills are the foundation on which all further formal education is built. Research has shown that levels of literacy and numeracy are associated with school completion, employment, income and health outcomes. In Australia, national minimum standards (NMS) have been developed for reading, persuasive writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. These NMS have been assessed through the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) since 2008. NAPLAN results are split into six bands for each year level with the second lowest band representing the national minimum standard (NMS). 48

Proportion of students in Year Proportion of students in Year 3 who meet or exceed the 7 who meet or exceed the benchmarks for literacy, 2011 benchmarks for literacy, 2011

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 95.3% 92.7% 95.8% 92.8%

Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing Time Trend Mildura LGA increasing proportion of students in Year 3 who proportion of students in Year 7 who meet or exceed the benchmarks meet or exceed the benchmarks for literacy between 2008–2011 for literacy between 2008–2011 Victoria 95.2% Mildura LGA 94.0% Victoria 95.8% Mildura LGA 91.0%

(Source: NAPLAN http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ (Source: NAPLAN http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014)

Proportion of students in Year Proportion of students in Year 5 who meet or exceed the 9 who meet or exceed the benchmarks for literacy, 2011 benchmarks for literacy, 2011

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 94.3% 89% 94% 87.9%

Time Trend Mildura LGA increasing Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing proportion of students in Year 5 who proportion of students in Year 9 who meet or exceed the benchmarks meet or exceed the benchmarks for literacy between 2008–2011 for literacy between 2008–2011 Victoria 93.7% Mildura LGA 86.2% Victoria 94.7% Mildura LGA 92.3%

(Source: NAPLAN http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ (Source: NAPLAN http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 49

Disengaged youth is a major issue in the region, with many of these persons being Indigenous youth. These are young people who have left school early and who are not in employment. They often have few employment skills, low levels of literacy and numeracy and other social problems. These individuals have disconnected with traditional education and training. Estimates from agencies in the area have this group at around 200 persons at any time.

NMLLEN Environment Scan, 2012, p 21.

Proportion of students Proportion of students in Year in Year 3 who meet or 7 who meet or exceed the exceed the benchmarks benchmarks for numeracy, 2011 for numeracy, 2011

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 95.8% 93.9% 96.2% 94.1%

Time Trend Mildura LGA increasing Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing proportion of students in Year 7 who proportion of students in Year 3 who meet or exceed the benchmarks for meet or exceed the benchmarks for numeracy between 2008–2011 numeracy between 2008–2011 Victoria 96.5% Mildura LGA 91.9%

Victoria 96.5% Mildura LGA 94.9% (Source: NAPLAN http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) (Source: NAPLAN http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014)

Proportion of students in Year Proportion of students in Year 9 who meet or exceed the 5 who meet or exceed the benchmarks for numeracy, 2011 benchmarks for numeracy, 2011

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 94.6% 91.3% 95.6% 93.7%

Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing Time Trend Mildura LGA increasing proportion of students in Year 9 who proportion of students in Year 5 who meet or exceed the benchmarks for meet or exceed the benchmarks for numeracy between 2008–2011 numeracy between 2008–2011 Victoria 95.2% Mildura LGA 92.1%

Victoria 94.6% Mildura LGA 90.5% (Source: NAPLAN http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ (Source: NAPLAN http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) 50

Children & young disadvantaged communities and is known to increase the risk of social exclusion. Education is important in people have access breaking this cycle with those with higher levels of to internet at home education more likely to be employed and to have higher incomes (AIHW, 2013).

The internet is becoming increasingly important in an economy shifting from manufacturing to Full-time participation in services, and children who do not grow up familiar secondary school education with computers and the internet may find their at age 16*, 2011 employment prospects significantly curtailed (DPCD, 2011). This is also identified through the Early Years Learning Framework which notes as essential that early childhood education and care services enable Victoria Mildura LGA ‘children [to] resource their own learning connecting 81.8% 75% with people, places, technologies and natural and processed materials’ (Learning Outcome 4.4) and ‘[to] use information and communication technologies to Time Trend – Mildura LGA access information, investigate ideas and represent improving between 2006–2011 their thinking’ (Learning Outcome 5.5). Victoria 79.9% Mildura LGA 70.2% * This data excludes the 4.1% of people Private dwellings with NO whose participation in secondary school Internet connection, 2011 education at age 16 was not stated (the proportion excluded was calculated based on the Australian data). Those who have left school at this age to enter Victoria Mildura LGA % % the labour force are not accounted for in 19.6 29.2 these data – see Learning or Earning at ages 15 to 19.

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 Time Trend – Mildura LGA improving [unpublished] http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social- significantly between 2006–2011 health-atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) Victoria 35.7% Mildura LGA 46.3% (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & Remaining engaged in, and successfully completing, 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) secondary school improves transitions into further study and employment, with the number of years of schooling a significant predictor of future earnings and employment. The apparent retention rate to Year 12 is the most common measure of school participation. It estimates the percentage of students who remain enrolled full time in secondary education Young people are from the start of secondary school (Year 7) to Year 12. Nationally in 2012, the Year 12 apparent retention engaged in learning rate was 80%, having gradually increased from 72% or earning in 1998. Females had a higher Year 12 apparent retention rate than males (84% compared with 76% in 2012). This is consistent with research showing that A young person’s learning and development is males are less likely to undertake Year 12 and more integral to their overall health and wellbeing, as likely to leave school before Year 12 and undertake well as their future productivity and contribution to vocational programs (such as apprenticeships) or find society. There is a link between intergenerational employment. The Year 12 apparent retention rate for poverty and educational attainment—low educational Indigenous students was 51% in 2012 and, although attainment is a common factor in Australia’s most considerably lower than for non-Indigenous students THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 51

(81%), had steadily increased from 32% in 1998 (AIHW, 2013). Proportion of young people aged 19 years Year 10–12 apparent who have attained Year retention rate*, 2012 12 or equivalent, 2011

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 82.1% 72.2% 84.2% 82.5%

Time Trend Mildura LGA year Time Trend Mildura LGA young 10–12 apparent retention rates people aged 19 years attaining increasing between 2008–2012 Year 12 or equivalent increasing significantly between 2009–2011 Victoria 81.8% Mildura LGA 66.8% Victoria 81.1% Mildura LGA 70.2% * The number of Year 12 full time equivalent student enrolments expressed (Source: Skills Victoria and Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Department of Education and Early Childhood as a percentage of the number of Year 10 Development http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/ full time equivalent student enrolments research/Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) two years earlier

(Source: August School Census, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development http:// www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/Pages/ Non-participation in work or study among young vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) people has been linked to future unemployment, lower incomes and employment insecurity, placing young people at risk of social and economic The apparent retention rate reflects enrolment in disadvantage, and social exclusion. Nationally in school, but it is not a measure of the successful 2012, 7% of 15–19 year olds and 12% of 20–24 year completion of Year 12. Completing Year 12, or an olds were not in employment, education or training equivalent vocational qualification, is a key factor in (NEET). Data from the Longitudinal Surveys of improving economic and social opportunities in life, Australian Youth indicate that, in 2010, some groups encouraging lifelong learning and lifting national of 22 year olds were more likely than others to be productivity. Nationally among young people aged NEET, including: 15 to 24 who had left school in 2011, 74% had completed Year 12—an increase from 70% in 2002. • those who were Indigenous (20%) compared with those who were non-Indigenous (8%), In 2009, the Australian Government set a target for • those with disability or a health condition (21%) 90% of young people aged 20 to 24 to have attained compared with those without (7%) and Year 12 or a Certificate II or above by 2015, and Year 12 or a Certificate III or above by 2020. In 2012, 86% • those who had not completed Year 12 or of 20 to 24 year olds had completed Year 12 or at Certificate III (17%) compared to those who had least Certificate II and 85% had completed Year 12 or (7%). Further, those whose highest year of school at least Certificate III, which is an increase from 80% completed was Year 11 (11%), Year 10 (17%) or and 78% in 2003 respectively. Young people who Year 9 or below (30%) were more likely to be have spent time in out-of-home care (for example, NEET than those who had completed Year 12 (7%) foster care and residential care) were about half as (AIHW, 2013). likely to complete Year 12 as the general population in 2009 (35% and 74% respectively) (AIHW, 2013). 52

Teenage Fertility Rate Learning or Earning* at ages 15 to 19, 2011 Parenthood in the teenage years, can result in interrupted (and lower rates of participation in)

Victoria Mildura LGA education, greater dependence on government 83.8% 75.5% assistance, increased problems entering the labour market and marital instability. However, the social and economic disadvantage that teenage parents and their babies experience may at least partly be a Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening reflection of the circumstances before the pregnancy slightly between 2006–2011 and birth. Indigenous women, women from areas of Victoria 82.6% Mildura LGA 77.6% low socioeconomic status, and women with lower educational qualification, all have higher fertility * This data comprise the number of 15 to rates than the general female population. Teenage 19 year olds who are engaged in school, females who lived in remote and very remote areas work or further education/ training, as a were more than 5 times as likely to give birth as their proportion of all 15 to 19 year olds. peers in major cities (62 births per 1,000 compared with 12 births per 1,000). At the national level 20% (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- of Indigenous mothers were teenagers, compared atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) with 3% of non-Indigenous mothers (AIHW, 2012 and AIHW, 2013).

Young people aged Rate of live births to 15 to 24 receiving an women aged under 19 unemployment benefit, 2012 years in the calendar year (per 1,000 women in this age group), 2012 Victoria Mildura LGA 4.4% 10% Victoria Mildura LGA 10.4 22.6 Time Trend – Mildura LGA decreasing slightly between 2009–2012 Victoria 4.8% Mildura LGA 10.2% Time Trend Mildura LGA decreasing

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & rates of live births to women aged 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- under 19 years between 2008–2012 atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) Victoria 10.9 Mildura LGA 30.1

(Source: Perinatal Data Collection, Department of Health http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 53 54 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 55

Indicator of 4 Child Wellbeing: Happy and Healthy

The social determinants of health are the conditions Children have a into which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. The key social determinants include stress, early healthy childhood life, social exclusion, work, unemployment, social support, addiction, food, and transport and can be both reinforced and reduced by the distribution of Breastfeeding is known to provide nutrition and income, discrimination, and political and governance strengthen the immune system, resulting in benefits structures. for both mothers and babies. Breastfeeding until at least six months of age has been recommended The social determinants approach is underpinned by both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and by an appreciation of the broader value of health in Australian by the National Health and Medical to society and the dependence of health on actions Research Council (NHMRC). Early childhood nutrition far beyond the health sector, as both problems and is important for an infant’s survival, growth and solutions are system-wide. Policies and interventions development, and to enhance health throughout the are required from all sectors and levels of society, lifecycle. For infants, it provides many health benefits, for example, transport and housing policies at the including reducing the risk of infection, asthma, local level; environmental, educational, and social allergies and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). policies at the national level; and financial, trade, and It also helps to improve cognitive development and agricultural policies at the global level (AIHW, 2012). offers protection against obesity and chronic diseases in later life. Breastfeeding may assist with bonding Ultimately an individual’s health and wellbeing and attachment between the mother and the baby. result from a complex interplay between biological, For mothers, it provides many positive health effects, lifestyle, socioeconomic, societal and environmental such as reducing the risk of some cancers and factors, many of which can be modified to some osteoporosis (AIHW, 2012 and DEECD, 2013). extent by health care and other interventions. So whilst some health outcomes are determined prior to birth and early on, through immunisation and breastfeeding for example, children also learn behaviours in their early years that have lasting impacts on their physical and psychological health as adults. There is an opportunity in these early years to reinforce positive behaviours such as physical activity and healthy diet to set strong foundations for future wellbeing (AIHW, 2012). 56

Proportion of infants fully Proportion of infants fully breastfed at discharge breastfed at 3 months from hospital, 2012/2013 of age, 2012/2013

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 74% 74% 51% 42%

Time Trend, Mildura LGA Time Trend, Mildura LGA decreasing decreasing rates of breastfeeding rates of breastfeeding at 3 months of at discharge from hospital between age between 2010/2011 and 2012/2013 2010/2011 and 2012/2013 Victoria 52.0% Mildura LGA 51.0%

Victoria 74.0% Mildura LGA 82.0% (Source: DEECD Maternal and Child Health

(Source: DEECD Maternal and Child Health Mildura LGA 2012/2013 Data Report) Mildura LGA 2012/2013 Data Report)

Proportion of infants fully Proportion of infants fully breastfed at 6 months breastfed at 2 weeks of age, 2012/2013 of age, 2012/2013

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 34% 13% 67% 66%

Time Trend, Mildura LGA decreasing Time Trend, Mildura LGA decreasing rates of breastfeeding at 6 months rates of breastfeeding at 2 weeks of age of age between 2010/2011 and between 2010/2011 and 2012/2013 2012/2013 Victoria 68.0% Mildura LGA 72% Victoria 36.0% Mildura LGA 22.0%

(Source: DEECD Maternal and Child Health (Source: DEECD Maternal and Child Health Mildura LGA 2012/2013 Data Report) Mildura LGA 2012/2013 Data Report)

Routine infant and childhood vaccination has been available in Australia since the 1930s and is broadly supported as an effective way of generating immunity and protecting against the spread of infectious diseases. The National Immunisation Program Schedule for Victoria recommends and provides the following vaccines at no cost to children up to eight years: hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal C, chickenpox and rotavirus. Evidence suggests that a minimum of 90% vaccination coverage is required to interrupt the transmission of disease, Victoria THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 57

is achieving this minimum (DEECD, 2013). At the national level: Proportion of children who are fully vaccinated at • As at December 2011, 91.8% of children aged 1 year and 92.6% of children aged 2 were fully 24–27 months, 2012/2013 immunised. Among older children (aged 5), 89.9% were fully immunised, • There was little difference in immunisation Victoria Mildura LGA coverage for 2 year olds across low and high 93.1% 93.3% socioeconomic groups and Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians, • Children living in the most socioeconomically Time Trend, Mildura LGA increasing rates disadvantaged areas were not disadvantaged of vaccination at 24–27 months of age in terms of immunisation coverage: 93.2% of between 2009/2010 and 2012/2013 children living in these areas were fully immunised Victoria 92.8% Mildura LGA 92.7% compared with 91.6% of children living in the least disadvantaged areas and (Source: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can be at risk of delayed immunisation. By the age of 2 years many, but not all, Indigenous children have caught up to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Proportion of children Consistent with this, immunisation coverage at the age of 2 years was slightly lower for Indigenous who are fully vaccinated at (91.9%) than non-Indigenous children (92.8%) 60–63 months, 2012/2013 (AIHW, 2012).

Victoria Mildura LGA Proportion of children 92.6% 91.4% who are fully vaccinated at 12–15 months, 2012/2013 Time Trend, Mildura LGA increasing rates of vaccination at 60–63 months of age Victoria Mildura LGA between 2009/2010 and 2012/2013 % % 91.7 89.8 Victoria 87.2% Mildura LGA 87.3%

(Source: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) Time Trend, Mildura LGA decreasing rates of vaccination at 12–15 months of age between 2009/2010 and 2012/2013 The food we eat plays a major role in our health and wellbeing. For infants and young children, Victoria 92.1% Mildura LGA 91.6% good nutrition is important for optimal growth and (Source: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/ development. For all Australians, good nutrition Pages/vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) contributes to quality of life, helps maintain healthy body weight, protects against infections, and reduces the risk of chronic disease and premature death. On the other hand, poor dietary choices are associated with ill health. Chronic diseases that can be related to diet, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers, are a major cause of death and disability in Australia, and their prevalence is steadily increasing. The burden of disease due to poor diet is often associated with large intakes of energy- dense foods, with high saturated fat, sugar and/ 58

or salt content, and low intakes of nutrient-dense * Whilst the Victorian Population Health Survey has foods, such as vegetables, fruit and wholegrain been undertaken since 2008 analysis of data at the cereals. Excessive energy intakes, combined with low LGA level has not been made available. levels of physical activity, have contributed to the continuing rise in people identified as overweight and obese. Low-income, particularly single parent Achieves usual daily intake and unemployed families, are most at risk of food of two or more serves of insecurity. Research shows these families are more fruit (modelled estimate, likely to select foods that are perceived to be cheaper but that are of poorer quality, with high fat, rate per 100), persons aged salt and sugar content (AIHW, 2012). 5 to 17 years, 2007/2008

Food insecurity, as measured by the proportion

of persons who ran out of food in the previous 12 Victoria Mildura LGA months and could not afford to buy more, is higher 63.2 58.9 across the Mildura LGA than at the Victorian level according to 2008 data from the Victorian Population Health Survey. Data specific to children aged 0–18 years was not available. Time Trend – not available

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health-atlas- Access to Food, 2008 of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014)

A healthy body weight is important for overall health Victoria Mildura LGA % % and can help prevent and control many diseases 94.4 90.7 and conditions. Being overweight or obese can contribute to the development of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and stroke, Type 2 diabetes, Time Trend – not available* osteoarthritis, some cancers and sleep apnoea. As excess body weight increases, so does the risk (Source: Victorian Population Health Survey, 2008) of chronic disease and mortality. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. In Australia, The 2008 Victorian Population Health Survey rates of obesity in both adults and children have revealed that 9.3% of the Mildura LGA population increased over the last two decades. In 2007–08, experienced Food Insecurity (ran out of food in the 25% of Australian adults (aged 18 and over) and 8% previous 12 months and could not afford to buy of children (aged 5–17) were obese; this equates anymore) compared to only 5.6% at the State level. to almost 3 million people. There is a graded Reasons stated for Food Insecurity at the Mildura relationship between socioeconomic status and LGA level included: obesity: people who live in the most disadvantaged areas are more likely to be obese than people who Some foods are too expensive: Mildura LGA live in areas that are less disadvantaged. In 2004–05, 42.7% compared to Victoria 28.3% after adjusting for differences in age structure, 34% Can’t always get right quality: Mildura LGA of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults were 31.6% compared to Victoria 25.5% obese compared with 18% of non-Indigenous adults Can’t always get right variety: Mildura LGA (AIHW, 2012). 12.7% compared to Victoria 10.9% Can’t always get culturally appropriate food: Mildura LGA 6.1% compared to Victoria 6.8% Inadequate and unreliable transport: Mildura LGA 5.8% compared to Victoria 8.0% THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 59

birth weight occurred in 76% of stillborn babies and Proportion of children at 51% of live-born babies from a multiple birth, as such school entry reported to comparing and interpreting proportions of low birth weight is more accurate if low birth weight resulting be overweight, 2008 from fetal death and multiple births is removed from the analysis.

Victoria Mildura LGA Low birth weight among live-born singletons in 2009 1.9% 2.6% varied with maternal age, ranging from a low of 6% in mothers aged 30–34 to 9% in teenage mothers, and 14% in mothers aged 45 or older. Low birth weight among live-born singleton babies of mothers Time Trend – not available who reported smoking during pregnancy in 2009 (Source: School Health Entrant Questionnaire) was 10%, twice the rate of mothers who did not smoke (5%). The number and proportion of low birth weight babies decline progressively with decreasing The School Entrant Health Questionnaire (SEHQ) level of socioeconomic disadvantage (AIHW, 2012). is completed by parents when their child starts Victorian data from 2008 indicates that the greatest school. It is used by school nurses to assess children proportions of babies with low birth weights in requiring further screening or intervention. The Victoria were from outer regional and low SES areas, information also provides broader measures of and born to Aboriginal mothers (DEECD, 2013). aspects such as oral health, vision, behavioural and emotional wellbeing. There is also a clear pattern showing concerns about oral health, vision and Low birth weight behaviour are more prevalent for parents from babies, 2009–2011 disadvantaged areas.

Victoria Mildura LGA Obese persons (modelled % % estimate, rate per 100), 6.6 7 persons 18 years and over, 2007/2008 Time Trend – Mildura LGA worsening slightly between 2006–2008 and 2009–2011 Victoria Mildura LGA 17 19.9 Victoria 6.6% Mildura LGA 6.7% (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) Time Trend – not available

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health-atlas- of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) of complications and is associated with poorer outcomes for the baby. Complications include low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small size for A key indicator of population-wide infant health is gestational age (suggesting intra-uterine growth the proportion of babies with low birth weight (less restriction) as well as infant death. In 2009, 15% than 2,500 grams). The birth weight of a baby reflects of Australian women smoked while pregnant, a maternal pregnancy health and lifestyle choices, such figure which has remained relatively stable over the as smoking, and is a predictor for subsequent health past 5 years. Younger mothers were more likely to outcomes, including the period of hospitalisation smoke than older mothers in 2009. More than 1 in after birth, the development of significant disabilities, 3 teenage mothers (37%) reported smoking during and dying. In 2009, there were 20,195 babies of low pregnancy. The proportion of women who smoked birth weight (6% of all babies born in Australia). Low while pregnant was higher for Indigenous women (48%) than non-Indigenous women (13%) a difference 60

which in part reflects the younger age of Indigenous mothers compared with other Australian mothers Quit Referrals** during (AIHW, 2012). Key Ages and Stages Visits, 2012/2013 Smoking During Pregnancy, 2009–2011 Victoria Mildura LGA 6% 4% Victoria Mildura LGA 11.4% 21.3% Time Trend – Mildura LGA decreasing between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 Time Trend – not available Victoria 6.0% Mildura LGA 8.0%

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & (Source: DEECD Maternal and Child 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- Health 2012/2013 Data Report) atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014)

Quit Interventions* during * A Quit Intervention involves providing the client Key Ages and Stages with the ‘Quit pack’ and supporting with appropriate strategies if they show interest in quitting smoking Visits, 2012/2013 but do not want Maternal and Child Health to refer them into the Quit Program. Clients can then refer themselves via the ‘Quit pack’ if they choose to. Victoria Mildura LGA ** A Quit Referral occurs when the Maternal and 6% 9% Child Health nurse directly refers the client into the Quit Program via referral form.

The State of Victoria’s Children 2010 report noted Time Trend – Mildura LGA decreasing that the rates and types of accidents and injuries between 2010/2011 – 2012/2013 to children vary across the lifespan. For children in Victoria 8.0% Mildura LGA 12.0% infancy, a time of high dependence, injuries tend to

(Source: DEECD Maternal and Child stem from abuse or neglect. Between the ages of Health 2012/2013 Data Report) 1 to 4, the child begins to be mobile but lacks an understanding of, or ability to recognise, hazards and risks, leading to injuries relating to pharmaceutical poisonings, fire and drowning. In middle childhood (from 5 to 9 years), where the child explores the world through play and schooling, the characteristic injuries are falls (e.g. from playground equipment). DEECD data shows that the death rate for unintentional injuries for Victorian children aged 0 to 17 years has declined over the past decade (DEECD, 2013). THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 61

Rate of Childhood Accidents Total Hospital Separations (per 1,000 children), 2011 Indigenous Children, per 1,000 children aged 0 to 8 years, 2005–2008 Regional Victoria Mildura LGA 101.5 160.9 Victoria Mildura LGA 198.2 341.5 Time Trend – Mildura LGA decreasing rates of childhood accidents between 2006–2011 Time Trend – not available Regional Victoria 86.3 (Source: NM PCP Community Health & Wellbeing Profile 2011) Mildura LGA 187.8

(Source: Monash University [unpublished], Mildura Rural City Council Social Indicators Report, 2014) Significantly both Indigenous and non-Indigenous children aged 0–8 years in the Mildura LGA experienced higher rates of separations for ICD–10 Hospital separations (the term referring to admissions Chapter XXI: Factors influencing health status and to hospital following discharge) are coded according contact with health services than was the case to principal diagnosis within the International for their Victorian counterparts. Included in the Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) chapter Chapter XXI Factors are classifications relating to level descriptions. Whilst hospitalisation rates are “Persons with potential health hazards related to often used as a proxy indicators for the level of socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances”. serious illness within a community, care should be taken in interpreting hospitalisation rates as rates can be influenced by issues such as access to appropriate Total Hospital Separations, primary care (such as GPs) and changes in hospital admission practices. The following data reflects the per 1,000 children aged rate of hospital separations, per 1,000 children aged 0 to 8 years, 2005–2008 – 0 to 8 years, in Mildura LGA, 2005–08 and is drawn Chapter XXI Factors from the NM PCP Community Health & Wellbeing Profile 2011, p.74.

Victoria Mildura LGA Total Hospital Separations, 62.3 82 per 1,000 children aged 0 to 8 years, 2005–2008 Time Trend – not available

(Source: NM PCP Community Health & Wellbeing Profile 2011)

Victoria Mildura LGA 244.1 243.1

Time Trend – not available

(Source: NM PCP Community Health & Wellbeing Profile 2011) 62

Total Hospital Separations Child Mortality (under 5 Indigenous Children, per years), average annual rate 1,000 children aged 0 per 100,000, 2003–2007 to 8 years, 2005–2008 – Chapter XXI Factors Victoria Mildura LGA 107.8 106.7 Victoria Mildura LGA 48.1 110.7 Time Trend – cannot be accurately determined because of overlap of reporting periods and changes to Time Trend – not available ages ranges assessed. For example (Source: NM PCP Community Health & Wellbeing Profile 2011) the 2003–2007 figures include infants in the child mortality figures.

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- Infant Deaths (all deaths atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) under 12 months of age per 1,000 live births), 2006–2010 The 2008 National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health (NSSSSH)—a nationally representative survey of Year 10 and 12 students from all school Victoria Mildura LGA sectors—collected data on sexual knowledge, 3.7 5.3 feelings, attraction and experience, contraception, and sources of information about sex. In 2008, among Year 10 and 12 students: Time Trend – Mildura LGA increasing Infant Death rates between • 78% had experienced some form of sexual activity, 2003–2007 and 2006–2010 40% had experienced sexual intercourse, and 44% had experienced oral sex, Victoria 4.6 Mildura LGA 4.3 • 91% reported sexual attraction exclusively to (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & people of the opposite sex, 1% to people of the 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) same sex, 6% to both sexes and 2% were unsure, • knowledge about STIs, BBVs, HPV and routes of transmission was poor, and the risk of STI infection was perceived to be low, Child Mortality (1 to 4 • 32% reported ever having unwanted sex—citing years), average annual rate being drunk or feeling pressured by their partner as per 100,000, 2006–2010 the main reasons for having unwanted sex and • the most popular source of sexual information among males was school programs (49%), and

Victoria Mildura LGA among females was their mother (62%). 16.9 36.3 A recent survey of secondary school teachers found that many felt unsupported in teaching sexual education to their students, with few receiving formal training in the area. Knowledge-based topics were the most commonly taught, while topics around the pleasure of sexual behaviour and activity were least discussed (AIHW, 2012). THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 63

Alcohol Rate of sexually transmissible infections* in young people aged 12–17 years (per 100,000 The consumption of alcohol is widespread within young people), 2012 Australia and is entwined with many social and cultural activities. However, excessive use of alcohol leads to substantial health and social harms each year. Alcohol is second only to tobacco as Victoria Mildura LGA a preventable cause of drug-related death and 406.4 621.6 hospitalisation in Australia. Alcohol is a causal factor in about 60 types of diseases and injuries and a component cause in perhaps 200 others. Alcohol Time Trend – significant increase in is also associated with many serious social issues, rate (detection of) sexually transmissible including violence, drink-driving, child neglect and infections in young people aged abuse, and absenteeism in the workplace. 12–17 years between 2008–2012 Consumption of alcohol by young people is of Victoria 224.5 Mildura LGA 166.8 concern because of the negative social outcomes * notified disease types include associated with high-risk drinking. Results from the Chlamydia, Gonoccocal Infection and National Drugs Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) Syphilis show that, in 2010, 30% of those aged 16–17 and 5% of those aged 12–15 had consumed alcohol at levels

(Source: Notifiable Infectious Disease Surveillance that put them at risk of harm from a single occasion (NIDS) System, Department of Health http:// of drinking at least once a month. Among young www.education.vic.gov.au/about/research/Pages/ adults, alcohol is responsible for the majority of drug- vcamstableau.aspx accessed 10/05/2014) related deaths and hospital episodes, causing more deaths and hospitalisations in this age group than all illicit drugs, and many more than tobacco. In 2009– 10, there were more than 20,000 hospitalisations with an alcohol-related principal diagnosis for people aged 10–39, more than any other drug.

Certain population groups were more likely to consume alcohol at levels that put them at risk of injury on a weekly basis. In particular, those living in Remote/Very remote areas were more likely to drink at risky levels at least once a week than those in Major cities (26% compared with 15% respectively). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are less likely than non-Indigenous Australians to consume alcohol. However, Indigenous Australians who do drink generally consume at much more harmful levels. For example, over the period 2004–2008, Indigenous Australians died from mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol use at 7 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians, and from alcoholic liver disease and poisoning by alcohol at 6 times the rate non-Indigenous Australians (AIHW, 2012). 64

Illicit Drugs • high proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people used cannabis in the previous 12 Illicit drug use refers to the use of illegal drugs (such months compared with non-Indigenous Australians as marijuana/cannabis, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine), (18% and 10% respectively), the use of volatile substances as inhalants (such as • unemployed people were more likely to use glue, solvents and petrol) and the non-medical use cannabis, ecstasy and meth/amphetamines in the of pharmaceutical drugs (including over-the-counter previous 12 months than employed people, and prescription). Illicit drug use is a risk factor for • homosexual/bisexual people were more likely to a range of health concerns, including infection with use an illicit drug compared with heterosexual bloodborne viruses, low birthweight, malnutrition, people, and had the highest proportion of recent poisoning, mental illness, suicide, self-inflicted injury drug use across all subpopulations at 36%, or 2.6 and overdose. Research has demonstrated that times as high as for heterosexual people (AIHW those who initiate drug use early are more likely to 2012). continue into future illicit and problematic drug use (AIHW, 2012).

Illicit drug use was estimated to account for 2% of the burden of disease in Australia in 2003. There were an estimated 1,705 deaths in 2003 and almost Children have a 51,500 disability-adjusted life years attributable to physically active illicit drug use. The prevalence of recent illicit drug childhood use among Australians aged 14 and over rose from 13% in 2007 to 15% in 2010. This included increases in the use of cannabis, pharmaceuticals for non- Physical activity promotes physical and mental medical purposes, cocaine and hallucinogens. Nearly wellbeing, and has been linked to the development 1 in 5 secondary students had deliberately sniffed of resilience, confidence and autonomy. Physical inhalants at least once during their lives; 17% had activity also helps children learn motor skills and ever used tranquillisers and 14% marijuana/cannabis social skills, and is an important way to develop (AIHW, 2012). relationships with other children. The most common drug used both recently and Emerging evidence is that a sedentary lifestyle over the lifetime was cannabis, used in the previous (for example, sitting while watching TV) can be 12 months by 10% of people aged 14 and over. detrimental to health, and this effect can exist Cannabis had the youngest average age of initiation regardless of any physical activity undertaken during of all illicit drugs, at 18.5 years, followed by inhalants the day. This means that a person who adheres to the (19.5) and hallucinogens (19.8). The first use of any National Physical Activity Guidelines may still have pharmaceutical for non-medical purposes was, on adverse health effects from being sedentary at other average, later (mid-20s) (AIHW, 2012). times. Based on data from the 2007–08 National Health Survey, almost 60% of Australians aged Patterns of drug use also differ by population 15 and over do not undertake sufficient physical characteristics depending on the drug type of activity to confer a health benefit. The proportion interest. For example: of people with insufficient levels of physical activity increased with age, and as levels of socioeconomic

‘There is strong and consistent evidence of an association between depression and anxiety and physical illness ...... Depression is also associated with poorer health outcomes in those with physical diseases.’

The Victorian Population Health Survey: Summary Report 2008 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 65

disadvantage increased. People who lived in areas Families have time outside Major cities were also less likely to undertake sufficient exercise (AIHW, 2012). for children and young people Physical inactivity (modelled estimate, rate per 100), Time spent with children and young people is persons aged 15 years important for their development and wellbeing. Parental time builds and maintains balanced routines and over, 2007/2008 and provides opportunities for activities such as reading to children, physical activity and socialising. Time availability can be impacted by inflexible work Victoria Mildura LGA hours and schedules, working unsocial hours and 32.6 38.1 long commutes. Time can also be affected when the sole care giver is responsible for the family income. While most children in single parent families are well cared for, children in single parent households are Time Trend – not available more likely to experience disadvantage. (Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health-atlas- of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) Adequate work / life balance, 2011

Victoria Mildura LGA 53.1% 49.5% Children and young people are active in the community Time Trend – Mildura LGA small decrease in employed respondents feeling they had a good balance of work and family between 2007–2011 People aged over 15 Victoria 53.0% Mildura LGA 49.8% years who participated Within the Mildura LGA 49.5% of in voluntary work for an VicHealth Indicators Survey respondents organisation or group, 2011 agreed they had an ‘adequate work/life balance’ compared to 53.1% of Victorians who agreed they had an ‘adequate work/ life balance’. Victoria Mildura LGA % % 17.7 20.2 (Source: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/ wellbeing_reports/mildura and http://www.vichealth.vic. gov.au/~/media/Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_ VicHealth_factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014) Time Trend – Mildura LGA remaining the same between 2006–2011 Victoria 17.9% Mildura LGA 20.2%

(Source: Compiled by PHIDU from ABS Census 2006 & 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/social-health- atlas-of-australia---2011-census accessed 10/04/2014) 66

provide information at a Local Government Area Lack of time for family level to assist with the development of Municipal / friends, 2011 Public Health and Wellbeing Plans. The 2007 CIV data is no longer accessible online without being specifically commissioned so in some instances Time Trends cannot be presented. The VicHealth Indicators Victoria Mildura LGA Survey compliments other Victorian population 27.4% 30.3% health surveys such as the Victorian Government’s Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) and when combined, these two data sets enable local Time Trend – not available* government planners to gain a comprehensive picture of health and wellbeing in Victoria. Within the Mildura LGA 30.3% of VicHealth Indicators Survey respondents agreed they ‘lacked time for family/ friends’ compared to only 27.4% of Victorians who agreed they ‘lacked time Adolescents have for family/friends’. good mental health (Source: http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/~/media/ Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_VicHealth_ factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014) Good mental health in young people is a precursor to good social development, success at school and improved life chances. It protects against suicide, self-harm, involvement in crime and mental illness later in life (AIHW, 2012). Mental health problems are Shares a meal with family the leading contributor to burden of disease among (>5 days per week), 2011 young Australians with anxiety and depression being the specific leading cause in both males and females. There are many consequences if mental health problems are not resolved. Children may experience Victoria Mildura LGA % % a poorer quality of life, physical health problems, 66.3 67.2 lowered academic attainment, risky behaviours, substance use, and suicidal ideation. Mental illness can also have negative impact on the family and Time Trend – not available* social environment (DEECD, 2010). Within the Mildura LGA 67.2% of DEECD’s Adolescent Community Profiles: Rural VicHealth Indicators Survey respondents City of Mildura (2010) noted a trend of increasing agreed they ‘share a meal with family (>5 numbers of adolescents aged 10 to 17 years days per week)’ compared to only 27.4% admitted to hospital with an ICD coded principal of Victorians who agreed they ‘share a diagnoses classified to a mental and behavioural meal with family (>5 days per week)’. health category (‘Psychiatric hospitalisations’ / ‘ICD- (Source: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/ 10-AM’) between 2004/05 and 2009/10. On analysis wellbeing_reports/mildura and http://www.vichealth.vic. the psychiatric hospitalisation rate in Mildura was gov.au/~/media/Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_ VicHealth_factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014) higher than that across Victoria for three of the five years between 2004/05 and 2009/10. Mildura was ranked 16 out of 68 LGAs in terms of the psychiatric * The VicHealth Indicators Survey is a Victorian- hospitalisation rate during 2009 – 2010 (where a rank focused population level survey. The survey was first of 1 was assigned to the LGA with the highest rate of undertaken in 2007 and was known as Community hospital separations). LGAs with less than 5 hospital Indicators Victoria, and was repeated in 2011 using separations during 2009–2010 were not assigned a the new title ‘VicHealth Indicators’. The focus of the rank. survey is on the social determinants of health, rather than health outcomes. The aim of the survey is to THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 67

‘Psychiatric hospitalisations’ Proportion of population for 10–17 year olds per 1,000 experiencing ‘high’ to ‘very adolescents, 2009/2010 high’ levels of psychological distress, 2011/2012

Victoria Mildura LGA 6.7 8.3 Victoria Victoria 11.1% 12.7%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA increasing ‘Psychiatric hospitalisations’ Time Trend – Mildura LGA increasing between 2004/05 and 2009/10 levels of psychological distress Victoria 8.8 Mildura LGA 5.0 between 2007/2008 and 2011/2012

(Source: Department of Health Victorian Admitted Episodes Victoria 11.4% Mildura LGA 12.5% Dataset, 2010 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/ about/research/acpmildura.pdf accessed 23/05/2014) (Source: Victorian Population Health Survey, Department of Health http://www.health.vic.gov.au/healthstatus/ survey/vphs2008.htm accessed 28/05/2014)

Corresponding with the this time period figures reported in the 2011 Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnership Community Health & Wellbeing Profile (Vaughan, 2011, p.79) noted the Mildura LGA as having four times the Victorian rate of population accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Mildura LGA 0.4% of the Estimated Resident Population compared to Victoria with 0.1% Children, young of the Estimated Resident Population). people & families Across the entire Mildura LGA population are supported by assessments of ‘Level of Psychological Distress’ positive relationships were undertaken in the Victorian Population Health survey. Using the Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10) the Victorian Population Positive relationships provide children and young Health survey categorised respondent’s level of people with practical help, material goods, learning psychological distress over a four week period. opportunities and emotional support. These Whilst the K10 cannot be used to determine the resources provide the foundations for moving presence of major illnesses it has been validated ‘out into the world’, learning new skills, taking on as a simple measure of anxiety, depression and challenges and exploring roles and experiences. worry (psychological distress). The K10 covers the Whilst no data specific to positive relationships is dimensions of depression and anxiety, such as sought in any widespread or comparable manner nervousness, hopelessness, restlessness, sadness and there are several indicators routinely assumed to worthlessness. It consists of 10 questions that have indicate social connection and positive relationships. the same response categories: all of the time, most These indicators are not specific to families but of the time, some of the time, a little of the time and rather reflect the responses of the general population none of the time (that are scored 5 through to 1). The so cannot be assumed to reflect only children, young ten items are summed to yield scores ranging from people and families within the Mildura LGA. 10 to 50. Individuals are categorised to four levels of psychological distress, based on their score: low (10–15), moderate (16–21), high (22–29) and very high (30–50). 68

Can you get help from family, Feeling part of the community friends or neighbours when you (range 0–100)**, 2011 need it? Responding Yes, 2008

Victoria Mildura LGA Victoria Mildura LGA 72.3 77.5 91.7% 91.7%

Time Trend – Mildura LGA decreasing Time Trend – Mildura LGA slightly between 2007–2011 decreasing between 2006–2008 Victoria 70.7 Mildura LGA 77.9 Victoria 92.4% Mildura LGA 93.2% ** Community Connection was measured

(*Source: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/ in the Community Indicators Victoria wellbeing_reports/mildura and http://www.vichealth.vic. Survey. Respondents were asked to gov.au/~/media/Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_ rate their satisfaction with feeling part VicHealth_factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014) of their community and answers are presented according to a 0–100 range. Normative data indicates that the

average Community Connection score for Australians is approximately 70.

(*Source: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/ wellbeing_reports/mildura and http://www.vichealth.vic. gov.au/~/media/Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_ VicHealth_factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014)

* The VicHealth Indicators Survey is a Victorian– focused population level survey. The survey was first undertaken in 2007 and was known as Community Indicators Victoria, and was repeated in 2011 using a new title ‘VicHealth Indicators’. The focus of the survey is on the social determinants of health, rather than health outcomes. The aim of the survey is to provide information at a Local Government Area (LGA) level to assist with the development of Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans. THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 69 70 THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 71

Indicator of 5 Child Wellbeing: Active Citizens

Children and Families and the young people are community model civically engaged good citizenship

Community participation includes activities Community factors such as strength, connectedness, such as being involved in clubs and community engagement and participation influence positive organisations, cultural activities and volunteering. outcomes. Research demonstrates that the higher Many children participate in cultural, sporting and the social capital in a community, the better the other leisure activities, with participation in these outcomes will be for children, young people and activities considered important for their emotional, their families who live there (DEECD, 2013). physical, social and intellectual development. Nationally in 2012, nearly three-quarters (72%) of children aged 5 to 14 years had participated in organised sport, and/or selected cultural activities Do you regularly volunteer your outside school hours in the 12 months prior to being time to help out anywhere? surveyed. Certain groups of children were more likely Responding Yes, 2008 to participate in either sport or cultural activities, or both. Children born in Australia (73%) or other main English-speaking countries (75%) had higher Victoria Mildura LGA participation rates than those born in other countries % % (53%). Children were also more likely to participate if 40.8 44.7 they lived in couple families (76%) than in one-parent families (60%), and in families where at least one parent was employed (77%) than in those where no Time Trend – Mildura LGA parent was employed (44%) (AIHW, 2013). decreasing between 2006–2008 Victoria 38.4% Mildura LGA 47.4% No DATA is available at the LGA level to indicate level of community participation or civic engagement (*Source: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/ wellbeing_reports/mildura and http://www.vichealth.vic. for children and young people. gov.au/~/media/Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_ VicHealth_factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014) 72

In order to create a child friendly city, children and young people must have a voice in the decisions made about their communities. This means decision-making organisations need to see them as citizens with the right to express needs, potentials and expectations. Organisations must find appropriate ways for children to have input. To participate, children and young people need the skills, confidence and sense of responsibility that comes with a strong education system and engagement with public life (clubs, sport, volunteering). Ensuring a voice in decision-making will not only improve life for children and young people, but will build stronger communities.

The State of Bendigo’s Children Report, 2011.

* The VicHealth Indicators Survey is a Victorian- Participation in focused population level survey. The survey was first Citizen Engagement? undertaken in 2007 and was known as Community Indicators Victoria, and was repeated in 2011 using Responding Yes, 2011 a new title ‘VicHealth Indicators’. The focus of the survey is on the social determinants of health, rather than health outcomes. The aim of the survey Victoria Mildura LGA is to provide information at a Local Government 50.5% 52.9% Area (LGA) level to assist with the development of Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans.

Time Trend – Mildura LGA declining significantly between 2007–2011 Victoria 53.8% Mildura LGA 68.7%

(*Source: http://www.communityindicators.net.au/ wellbeing_reports/mildura and http://www.vichealth.vic. gov.au/~/media/Indicators/LGA%20profiles/PDF/Mildura_ VicHealth_factsheet_WEB.ashx accessed 21/05/2014) THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 73

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011, Census of Population and Housing, ABS, Canberra.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012. Australia’s health 2012. Australia’s health series no.13. Cat. no. AUS 156. Canberra: AIHW.

Centre for Community Child Health, 2011, Australian Early Development Index Community Profile 2009 Mildura Victoria.

Centre for Community Child Health, 2012, Australian Early Development Index Community Profile 2012 Mildura Victoria.

Centre for Community Child Health and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 2013, A Snapshot of Early Childhood Development in Australia 2012 Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) National Report. Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Centre for Community Child Health and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 2013, A Snapshot of Early Childhood Development in Australia 2012 Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) National Report. Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Desforges, C & Abouchaar, A (2003), The impact of parental support and family education on pupil achievement and adjustment: a literature review. Department for Education and Skills research report. Department for Education and Skills research: Nottingham.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups Initiative (accessed 13/03/2014 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/ about/programs/health/playgroupparentgroupinit.pdf)

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2009, Early Childhood Aboriginal Community Profile: Mildura LGA.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2011, Adolescent Community Profile: Rural City of Mildura 2010.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2013, The State of Victoria’s Children 2012: Early Childhood. A report on how Victoria’s young children are faring.

Department of Planning and Community Development, 2011, The State of Bendigo’s Children Report. St Luke’s Anglicare.

Local Logic Place, 2012, Researching Barriers to completion of M&CH 10 Key Age & Stage (KAS) Checks amongst vulnerable & disadvantaged families within the Mildura LGA. Research commissioned by the Mildura Best Start Partnership.

Local Logic Place, 2013, Researching ‘Kinder for All’: Encompassing Universal Access to Early Childhood Education, Early Years Workforce Strategies and Models for Kindergarten Enrolment within the Mildura LGA. Research commissioned by the Mildura Rural City Council and Mildura Best Start Partnership.

Vaughan, N. (2011), Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnership Community Health and Wellbeing Profile. 74

Appendix 1: Key Data Sources & Statistical Boundaries

Demographic health and well-being profiling provides a ‘snapshot’ of a community or region at a specific period in time. In the case of The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children 2014 Report, which is based on data from two principle sources (together with multiple others), these time periods are 2011 when the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing was undertaken, and 2012 representing the most recent Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) data. These ‘snapshots’ are a picture of who is in your community and how they are faring and the ABS Census is the single most comprehensive means in Australia of ascertaining this information. Overlaid with AEDI data, which is our national ‘litmus test’ of the Early Years, this report presents an Children and Youth Statistical Profile for the Mildura LGA and the ‘communities’ (variously defined) within the LGA.

The Census The objective of the Census is to accurately measure the number and key characteristics of people who are in Australia on Census Night, and of the dwellings in which they live. The ABS conducts the Census every five years with the next Census scheduled for August 2016. Everyone in Australia is legally required to complete a Census form. Importantly while it is an expectation that all people residing in Australia on Census night, including visitors, take part in the Census a proportion of the population are not captured in Census data.

The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children 2014 Report acknowledges that those groups less likely to participate in the Census include (but are not limited to) those members of our community who are homeless; have limited literacy and numeracy skills; are from a non-English speaking background; are residing or working in Australia illegally; have (for varied reasons) a fear of, or distrust in, Departments and authority more generally; or are members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Readers of this report should remain cognisant of the fact that Census data likely underestimates these populations within their organisation’s service area and that the strength of large scale quantitative data (such as that contained in this report) is enriched and brought to life by the skilled anecdotal observations of an organisation’s workforce.

On a more technical note, a brief understanding of the geographical ‘areas’ for which the ABS captures data is important to allow the reader to understand the various ‘levels’ at which community data is presented throughout this report. The Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) is the new geographical standard developed by the ABS for the collection and dissemination of geographic statistics. It is a hierarchically structured classification with a number of spatial units to satisfy different statistical purposes.

The two most left columns of the table below are the ‘areas’ defined within the Australian Statistical Geography Standard. Bolded are those areas which are drawn on to create the community profiles contained within this report. In the far right column below are non-ABS defined regions which are typically understood and used in the presentation of data more generally (including by the ABS). Again the bolded headings indicate the geographical frameworks drawn on to create the community profiles within this report. The ABS and non-ABS geographical framework terminology utilised in this report is outlined following the table.

The ASGS areas used for the Census are: THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 75

The following are non-ABS structures. These structures contain regions that the ABS does not define or maintain.

• Mesh Block (MB); • Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1); • Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2); • Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3); • Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4); • State/Territory (STE); • Australia (AUS); • Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSA); • Urban Centre/Locality (UC/L); • Section of State Range (SOSR); • Section of State (SOS); • Indigenous Location (ILOC); • Indigenous Area (IARE); • Indigenous Region (IREG); • Significant Urban Areas (SUA); and • Remoteness Area (RA). The following are non-ABS structures. These structures contain regions that the ABS does not define or maintain.

• Local Government Area (LGA); • Postal Areas (POA); • Commonwealth Electoral Division (CED); • State Electoral Division (SED); • State Suburb (SSC); • Natural Resource Management Regions (NRMR); • Australian Drainage Divisions (ADD); and • Tourism Regions (TR). Throughout The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children 2014 Report data is principally presented at the SA2 and Mildura LGA levels with corresponding Victorian State level data provided for comparative purposes. Data related to disadvantage is presented at the State Suburb level (where a State Suburb may present an entire SA1 of a collation of several SA1s).

Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) The Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) is the second smallest geographic area defined in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), the smallest being the Mesh Block. The SA1 has been designed for use in the Census of Population and Housing as the smallest unit for the processing and release of Census data. For the 2011 Census, SA1s will also be the basis of output for most data, the exception being some Place of Work destination zones. For 2011, SA1s also serve as the basic building block in the ASGS and are used for the aggregation of statistics to larger Census geographic areas. An SA1 is represented by a unique seven digit code (no SA1s were allocated a name).

SA1s are designed to remain relatively constant over several Censuses. Future change will largely be dealt with by splitting existing SA1s. For the 2011 Census, there are approximately 54,000 SA1s throughout Australia. SA1s cover the whole of Australia with no gaps or overlaps. 76

Merbein and surrounds Mildura central Irymple and Nichols Point Red Cliffs and surrounds Mildura Regional

Yelta Boeill Creek

Merbein West Mildura Cabarita Nichols Point Irymple

Wargan Koorlong

Cardross

Monak THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 77

Within the Mildura LGA there are 141 SA1 defined areas. These SA1 are not listed in this document. A small number of these SA1s are discussed in relation to SEIFA disadvantage data where this level of area specific data can be useful in identifying specific geographical areas of disadvantage.

SA2 CODE 2011 SA2 NAME 2011 LGA CODE 2011 LGA NAME 2011 215021395 Irymple 24780 Mildura (RC) 215021396 Merbein 24780 Mildura (RC) 215021397 Mildura 24780 Mildura (RC) 215021398 Mildura Region 24780 Mildura (RC) 215021399 Red Cliffs 24780 Mildura (RC)

Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) The Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) is an area defined in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), and consists of one or more whole Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1s). Wherever possible SA2s are based on officially gazetted State suburbs and localities. In urban areas SA2s largely conform to whole suburbs and combinations of whole suburbs, while in rural areas they define functional zones of social and economic links. Geography is also taken into account in SA2 design. SA2s cover, in aggregate, the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps. Within the Mildura LGA there are five SA2 defined areas (shown right).

An additional SA2 area is presented in The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children and Young People 2014 Report, the Wentworth-Buronga SA2 which captures the NSW border communities along the Murray River. The presentation of data for the children and young people from the Wentworth-Buronga SA2 was considered important in accurately representing service demand and need.

State/Territory (STE) The State/Territory is the largest spatial unit in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). There are six states and five territories in the ASGS: , Victoria, Queensland, , Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory and the external Territories of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Jervis Bay Territory, and the Territories of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands are grouped as one spatial unit at the State/Territory level in the category of Other Territories. States/Territories consist of one or more Statistical Areas Level 4 (SA4s). In aggregate, they cover Australia without gaps or overlaps.

Local Government Area (LGA) A Local Government Area (LGA) is a geographical area under the responsibility of an incorporated local government council, or an incorporated Indigenous government council. The LGAs in Australia collectively cover only a part of Australia. The main areas not covered by LGAs are northern parts of South Australia, a large part of the Northern Territory, the western division of New South Wales, all of the Australian Capital Territory and the Other Territories. The number of LGAs and their boundaries can change over time. Their creation and delimitation is the responsibility of the respective state/territory governments, and are governed by the provisions of state/territory local government and other relevant Acts. The types of LGAs in Victoria are Cities (C), Rural Cities (RC) [in the case of Mildura], Boroughs (B) and Shires (S);

State Suburb (SSC) This is a Census-specific area where Statistical Areas Level 1 (SA1s) are aggregated to approximate suburbs. It is available for the whole of Australia, but in rural areas SSC poorly represent the gazetted localities. Note that the Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s) are aligned closely with suburbs in urban areas, however in this report multiple State Suburbs are combined to create the Regional Mildura SA2. www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/2901.0Chapter23102011 accessed 18/02/14 78

AEDI The Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) is a measure of how young children are developing in different communities. Like a census, it involves collecting information to help create a snapshot of early childhood development across Australia. The AEDI is a population measure of children’s development as they enter school. Based on the scores from a teacher- completed checklist, the AEDI measures five areas, or domains, of early childhood development:

• physical health and wellbeing • social competence • emotional maturity • language and cognitive skills (school-based) • communication skills and general knowledge.

In 2012 the AEDI was completed nationwide for the second time. The first AEDI occurred in 2009 and resulted in a national commitment to repeat the data collection every three years. In 2012 AEDI checklists were completed for 289,973 children representing 96.5% of all Australian children enrolled to begin school in 2012. This review involved 16,425 teachers from 7,417 government, Catholic and independent schools (95.6% of schools with eligible children).

At the time of the second AEDI data collection the Mildura LGA had a population of 50,952, which included 4,120 children aged 0 to 5 years. Summary statistics for the Mildura LGA include all children who reside in the area and were involved in the data collection.

As the AEDI is a population measure of children’s development as they start school it is important to consider the extent to which the AEDI is reflective of the entire population of children starting school in the community. The population of five-year-olds in Mildura in 2012 was 724 and the AEDI was completed for 802 children. This represents 111% of the Mildura five-year-old community.

Within the Mildura LGA area the AEDI also presents data at ‘local community’ levels. Importantly some ‘Local Communities’ have been combined to enable results to be released (through combination the community name may have been changed). To maintain confidentiality, the AEDI results for a Local Community will not be included if there are insufficient numbers of children.

Within the Mildura AEDI 2012 data collection data is available for the following ‘Local Communities’:

• Irymple/Nichols Point, • Koorlong/Cardross, • Merbein and surrounds (Birdwoodton, Cabarita, Merbein, Merbein South, Yelta), • Mildura, • North West Mallee (Linga, , Murray-Sunset, Murrayville, Ouyen, Underbool, , Wargan, ), • Red Cliffs and surrounds (Colignan, Nangiloc, Red Cliffs) http://maps.aedi.org.au/lga/vic/24780 (accessed 10/01/14).

Reconciling Census and AEDI data ‘areas’ for the Mildura LGA Critically, for this report, whilst the Census and AEDI represent the two principle data sources they are not an exact reflection of each other in the geographical areas they represent. The THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 79

Census and closest corresponding AEDI data maps are presented below with the Census map (referred to as Statistical Area 2s) shown right and the corresponding AEDI map (referred to in AEDI literature as ‘local communities’) shown far right.

Merbein and surrounds SA2 Census and AEDI areas correspond most accurately of all the documented areas. For the purposes of this research Merbein and surrounds is taken to include Birdwoodton, Cabarita, Merbein, Merbein South and Yelta, encompassing a physical area of 101.8 square kms. The SA2 Census area is shown right and the AEDI ‘local community’ area is shown far right.

The Mildura Central SA2 Census and AEDI Mildura areas are shown right and far right. Importantly the SA2 Census area of Mildura Central incorporates less of the corresponding AEDI Mildura area with the notable exclusion of the extended Nichols Point area and land adjacent to the river heading as far east to align with Gol Gol in NSW.

The Mildura Central SA2 covers an area of 76.2 square kms.

The Irymple and Nichols Point SA2 Census area covers 88.3 square kms. Despite the Mildura AEDI area encompassing more of the Nichols Point area than was the case in the Mildura Central SA2 the Irymple and Nichols Point AEDI area is again larger than the corresponding Census area stretching to cover more land to the South of the Calder (although less area along the Murray River is included).

The Red Cliffs and surrounds SA2 Census area covers 246.7 square kms and incorporates the most part of two the AEDI data areas: Red Cliffs and surrounds (including the communities of Colignan, Nangiloc, Red Cliffs, shown far right bottom) and Koorlong / Cardross (shown far right top). The Red Cliffs and surrounds SA2 is shown in the two closest right maps.

In the AEDI data Red Cliffs and surrounds captures Colignan and Nangiloc (far right bottom). In the Census data the SA2 of Red Cliffs incorporates Red Cliffs and Cardross (not Koorlong, Colignan or Nangiloc). Instead the Mildura Regional SA2 incorporates the communities of Colignan and Nangiloc.

The Mildura Regional SA2 Census area covers 21,569.5 square kms. The AEDI area of North West Mallee incorporates the communities of Linga, Meringur, Murray-Sunset, Murrayville, Ouyen, Underbool, Walpeup, Wargan and Werrimull.

The Census SA2 area of Mildura Regional incorporates a largely similar geographical area as the AEDI North West Mallee area except it also includes the Nangiloc and Colignan communities which are not included in the corresponding AEDI area (as they are captured in the Red Cliffs and surrounds AEDI area noted above).

These differences in the corresponding geographical areas of SA2s from the ABS Census and Local Communities from the AEDI data should be held in mind as the reader reviews “The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children” report. Whilst at times frustrating they do not detract from the powerful intra and inter municipality comparisons held within. 80

Outside of the Mildura LGA Importantly Mildura’s position on the border requires some analysis of the NSW communities which gravitate to Mildura Early Years organisations for support and services. Prior Early Years research undertaken for Mildura Rural City Council (such as the Barriers to completion of M&CH 10 Key Age & Stage KAS Checks, Local Logic Place, 2012 and the case study detailing Impact of changes to Antenatal classes at Mildura Base Hospital on initiation & duration of breastfeeding, Local Logic Place, 2013) indicates a significant cross-border utilisation of services. The NSW communities identified as significant include Buronga and Gol Gol, Dareton and Coomealla and Wentworth.

The Local Government Area (LGA) of Wentworth encompasses a number of communities, those with the greatest population density are along the western boundary (adjacent to the Murray River) and include Wentworth, Coomealla / Dareton, Buronga and Gol Gol. However the Shire also encompasses the communities of Curlwaa, Ellerslie, Pomona and Pooncarie. The Wentworth LGA covers an area of 26,256 square kms and has a population of 6,609 people. For the purposes of The State of Mildura Rural City’s Children 2014 Report the State Suburbs of Wentworth, Curlwaa, Coomealla and Dareton, and Gol Gol (which includes Buronga and the populated stretch between Buronga and Gol Gol) are documented.

The following map identifies these sixNSW State Suburbs positioned along the Murray River and adjacent to the Mildura LGA which together form the Wentworth-Buronga SA2. The map depicts the State Suburbs of (from left to right) Wentworth, Curlwaa, Dareton, Coomealla, Gol Gol & Buronga.

The map on the ensuing page reflects the ’s AEDI areas.

http://maps.aedi.org.au/lga/nsw/18200 (accessed 01/03/14). THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 81

ABS Census Areas map

Coomealla SS

Dareton SS

Wentworth SS Curlwaa SS

Yelta Boeill Creek

Buronga SS Gol Gol SS Merbein West Wentworth SS Mildura Cabarita Curlwaa SS Coomealla SS Merbein South

Dareton SS Irymple Buronga SS Wargan Koorlong

AEDI data map

Wentworth / Anabranch

Dareton Rufus River

Gol Gol Curlwaa / Buronga 82

Appendix 2: State and National Policy – Local Implementation

Victorian local government plays a critical role in human service provision and planning across the human life cycle. This is the result of a combination opportunity and choice alongside legislative mandate.

Across Australia the first human service ‘owned’ by local government was Maternal and Child Health, dating from 1917, followed by:

• Services to older people from the 1940s, • The growth of a broad municipal welfare function from 1947, • Involvement in kindergartens from the 1950s, and • The provision of formal child care from the early 1970s. The Victorian Local Government Act 1989 specifically supports this active role, describing the purposes and functions of local government as including responsibility for ‘health, welfare and other community services’. The Act’s schedule lists services for children and families, childcare and developmental services under this heading. Local Government’s role across the children and youth sector has largely focussed around four main areas:

• Service / Facility Provision – Council delivering a range of services, for example, Family Day Care, Vacation Care programs, Maternal and Child Health, and providing children and youth services buildings; • Advocacy – Council lobbying and advocating to State and Federal Governments on behalf of services, children, youth and their families, for example, advocating for increased early intervention services, monitoring the impact of child care fees, lobbying to retain community based child care places in a municipality and education, employment and retention programs for young people; • Planning – Council acting as a key community planner in the early years, for example planning for sufficient child care places, identifying the early years as a key platform in the Community Health and Well-being Plan and more recently the development of Municipal Early Years Plans and Youth Agenda’s; and • Strengthening Community Capacity – Council facilitating community connections and community engagement, for example, supporting parent management committees of childcare and preschool services.

In 2008 the State Government and the Municipal Association of Victoria signed the Victorian State–Local Government Agreement to further strengthen state–local government relations. The agreement formally committed the partnership to principles and guidelines that gave greater clarity to roles, responsibilities and financial arrangements, and fostered respectful collaboration and mutual support.

The agreement recognised Local government plays a key role in improving the coordination and strategic planning of early childhood services at the local level as both significant providers of early childhood services (including Maternal and Child Health and immunisation) and as the major owner of facilities from which community-based Early Years programs are offered (notably kindergarten and playgroups). The agreement also recognised local councils as the key planner for early childhood services with this planning primarily achieved through the development of Municipal Early Years Plans. THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 83

Municipal Early Years Plans articulate local government’s role in early years service or facility provision, planning, advocacy and community capacity building. Municipal Early Years Plans provide strategic direction for the development and coordination of early education and care and health programs, activities and other local developments that impact on children from birth to school entry in a municipality. They cover the period that aligns with a council’s planning cycle and encompass all state-funded programs, including kindergartens.

Across time this increasingly expanding role in human service provision recognises local government as one of the key remaining providers of universal access primary health care services for young children and their families.

Nationally and internationally health experts believe primary health care services to be the most appropriate and effective platform for improving the health, development and wellbeing of children through early detection, prevention and health promotion. ‘Universal access’ recognises that all families with young children can benefit from information, advice and support relevant to their circumstances and their child’s individual development and as such should have services made available to them.

In Victoria, primary care services are provided by general practitioners, maternal and child health nurses and allied health professionals. Because these services are likely to be accessed by most young children on a frequent basis the primary care providers have the opportunity to engage in preventative health care. However, opportunities for sequential health monitoring and surveillance outside the Maternal and Child Health Service have been reduced in the past decade for many families by factors such as early discharge from maternity hospitals, non-universal take- up of the medical postnatal check at six weeks, and children born overseas without access to primary care services. These factors taken together with the increasing complexity of Australian families emphasise the critical role of the Maternal and Child Health nurse (Local Logic Place, 2012).

Within the Mildura LGA the Mildura Rural City Council provides a number of child and youth specific services including:

• Family day care, • Playalong Occasional Care and Long Day Care Service, • Maternal and child health services, • Immunisation services, • Kindergarten infrastructure, • Playground and park infrastructure, • Playgroups and Playgroup infrastructure, and • Youth services.

Family Day Care Family Day Care is a flexible home-based child care and education service that offers a safe, secure, caring and stimulating environment for young babies through to pre-teens. There are more than 35 registered Family Day Care educators throughout the Mildura region. Educators work from their homes across the Mildura Rural City Local Government Area as well as in Wentworth.

Playalong Early Learning Centre Playalong Early Learning Centre provides occasional and long day care for newborns to six year olds. Playalong also provides a funded Kindergarten program for pre-school aged children. Playalong Early Learning Centre is operated by Mildura Rural Council and is located at 73 Lemon Avenue, Mildura. The Centre’s qualified team of staff provide a high quality educational care service for children and their families. The Centre comprises two rooms including: 84

• The Sunshine Room (for children aged 6 weeks to 3 years), • The Rainbow Room (for children aged 3 years to six years).

The Centre implements the requirements of the National Quality Framework and the program curriculum is based on the Early Years Learning Framework, focusing on the interests, strengths and needs of the children.

Maternal & Child Health Maternal Child Health is a free service available to all families with a child aged 0 to 6 years and includes a series of 10 ‘Key Ages and Stages’ health checks with a qualified Maternal and Child Health Nurse. MCH Nurses are registered general nurses and midwives with special training in Maternal and Child Health. They can provide confidential information and advice on:

• Child health and development, • Breastfeeding, • Baby settling, • Nutrition, • Maternal and family health, • Post-natal support, • Immunisations, and • Parenting.

Maternal Child Health Nurses are located in Mildura (including the MRCC Deakin Avenue Service Centre, Mansell Reserve, Pasadena and Mildura South), Merbein, Irymple, Red Cliffs, Nangiloc, Werrimull, Ouyen, Underbool and Murrayville.

Immunisations Council provides a range of immunisation services and programs to help protect the community against preventable diseases. This includes free regular immunisation clinics, adult immunisations as well as school and workplace immunisation programs. Immunisation Clinics are regularly held at: Mildura, Irymple, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Murrayville, Ouyen and Underbool.

Kindergartens There are 14 kindergartens within the Mildura LGA (including the two Integrated Services at Murrayville and Underbool), almost all are delivered from Council owned buildings.

Playgrounds & Parks Mildura Rural City Council maintains 20 recreation reserves and 75 neighbourhood parks throughout the region. These spaces offer no-cost opportunities for families to come together.

Playgroups Playgroups provide parents and caregivers with the opportunity to meet new people and gain support and ideas. They allow babies, toddlers and preschoolers to socialise as they play and learn together. A number of playgroups operate throughout the Mildura LGA in various forms including as: Community Playgroups, Supported Playgroups, Intensive Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups. Council delivers the Supported Playgroups and Parent Group Initiative (SPPI), which is funded by the State Government’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. SPPI aims to work with vulnerable families from disadvantaged backgrounds who are less likely to participate in community playgroups.

Youth Services Council offers a range of services, programs, developmental opportunities, events and activities to support the health and wellbeing of local youth. Delivered by a team of qualified professionals, these services are targeted at people aged between 12 and 25 years of age and include: THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 85

• School Holiday Programs: Council hosts a series of activities for young people during the school holidays, • FreeZA: FReeZA is a youth development program for young people between 12 and 25 years of age. It provides opportunities to attend affordable and accessible music and cultural events in safe, fully supervised, drug, alcohol and smoke-free venues. Young people are also encouraged to be part of the Mildura FReeZA Committee which helps plan and stage these events, • Youth Connections Program: The Youth Connections program helps young people who have left school, or who are thinking of leaving school, to continue with their education and ultimately gain a Year 12 (or equivalent) level education, • Youth Ambassador Program: open to all young people in years 7 to 10 living in the Mildura municipality the Youth Ambassador Program allows youth to represent and raise the profile of young people; identify key issues relating to young people and actively participate in strategies to address these; learn about leadership, advocacy and consultation and organise projects and events in order to improve the life of all young people in the Mildura municipality, • Youth Services Providers Network: Established in 2010, the Youth Services Providers Network is a network of youth service providers, local government, government agencies, educational institutions and those interested in youth affairs within the Mildura Rural City Council municipality, and • Youth Services Directory: The Youth Services Directory provides details about the emergency and support services available to young people in Mildura Rural City. The aim of the directory is to provide current and easily accessible information to young people and their parents in need of assistance. Taken together this breadth of child and youth services provided by Mildura Rural City Council are informed through both local data, research and information and guided by National and State level policies. A brief review of the relevant policies is included below.

National National Partnership Agreement on Early Childhood Education In 2008 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the National Partnership Agreement on Early Childhood Education to ensure:

• By 2013, every child would have access to a quality early childhood education program in the year prior to formal schooling, • The kindergarten program would be delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher, for 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year (or 600 hours per year), in accordance with the National Quality Framework, and • The program would be accessible across a diversity of settings in a form that met the needs of parents and in a manner that ensured cost was not a barrier to access.

The implementation of universal access to early childhood education in the year before school:

• Recognised that quality early childhood education programs improve children’s learning, health and behaviour with positive impacts extending into adult life, • Enabled children and families to have access to a high quality developmental program in a range of settings such as public, private and community-based kindergartens and child care services, • Supported a successful transition to formal schooling, and • Supported planning for integrated service systems. 86

In 2013, Victoria signed into the new National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education. Once again the Commonwealth Government provided funding to the Victorian Government to assist meeting the cost of the ‘additional’ five hours of kindergarten (with Victoria contributing for 10 hours and the Australian government contributing 5 hours).

This current National Partnership Agreement expires in December 2014. The Commonwealth Government has commenced a review of the two successive National Partnership Agreements that have been in place since 2008. At the time of writing advice on future Commonwealth funding arrangements is not yet known. Whilst the Federal Budget noted a contingency to extend the funding under the National Partnership until the end of 2015 this is not certain and remains subject to negotiations with the States and Territories.

National Partnership Agreement for Indigenous Early Childhood Development In 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the revised National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Early Childhood Development, with the following targets:

• Halve the gap in mortality rates within a decade for Indigenous children under five, • Ensure all Indigenous four-year-olds in remote communities have access to early childhood education within five years, • Ensure every child has access to a preschool program in the 12 months prior to full-time schooling by 2013, and • Halve the gap for Indigenous students in reading, writing and numeracy within a decade. As part of this agreement, a key strategy for improved services and outcomes for Indigenous children and their families was to integrate early childhood services through the development of Children and Family Centres (with 38 to be developed by 2014). Children and Family Centres will deliver integrated services, including early learning, child care and family support programs.

National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care In December 2009, all Australian governments agreed to a new National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care (the National Quality Framework), which took effect on 1 January 2012. The new system replaced existing state and territory licensing and national quality assurance processes.

The National Quality Framework applies to most preschools (kindergartens), long day care, family day care and outside school hours care services with the aim of raising quality and driving continuous improvement and consistency in education and care services, with a focus on outcomes for children.

The National Quality Framework includes:

• A legislative framework consisting of: – the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (the National Law) and – the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 (the National Regulations) • A National Quality Standard, used to carry out a national quality rating and assessment process • Approved learning frameworks, including the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework • Bodies responsible for implementing and National Quality Framework. Nationally the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the National Quality Framework. Each state has a Regulatory Authority with responsibility for: THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 87

• Approving and monitoring education and care services in accordance with the National Law and National Regulations, and • Assessing education and care services against the National Quality Standard and providing a national quality rating. In Victoria, the Regulatory Authority is the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Some requirements of the National Quality Framework are still being phased in. For example, by 2016, educator-to-child ratios will be 1:11 for children aged 36 months up to and including preschool age.

Belonging, Being and Becoming – The Early Years Learning Framework Describes the principles, practices and outcomes that support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school. It is expected that each early childhood service will develop their own strategy to implement the Framework.

The Framework is part of the Council of Australian Governments’ reform agenda for early childhood education and care. It is a key component of the Australian Government’s National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care. It underpins universal access to early childhood education.

Early Years Workforce Strategy 2012–2016 The strategy sets out how all governments will support the early childhood education and care workforce to ensure a sustainable and highly qualified workforce. It covers issues relating to attracting and retaining workers to the sector, ensuring their professionalism and qualifications, and building capacity to respond to the diverse needs of all children, families and communities accessing early childhood education and care services.

Establishment of a National Children’s Commissioner In February 2013, the Australian Government announced the appointment of Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner. The role of the Commissioner—which sits within the Australian Human Rights Commission—will complement those of existing commissioners and guardians at the state and territory level. The Commissioner will advocate rights of children and young people in national-level policies through: direct consultation with children and their representative organisations; promotion of public discussion and awareness; research and education programs; and examination of relevant Commonwealth legislation, policies and programs in a human rights context.

National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children (2009–2020) The second 3-year action plan under this long-term framework sets out a range of actions for completion between 2012 and 2015. The plan focuses on enhancing collaborations between the government, non-government sector and the community, thus reflecting the notion that ‘protecting Australia’s children is everyone’s responsibility’.

National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 The National Plan, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), brings together the efforts of governments across the nation to make a real and sustained reduction in the levels of violence against women. This plan shows Australia’s commitment to upholding the human rights of Australian women and it is the first plan to coordinate action across jurisdictions.

The National Plan is unprecedented in the way it focuses on preventing violence by raising awareness and building respectful relationships in the next generation. The aim is to bring attitudinal and behavioural change at the cultural, institutional and individual levels, with a particular focus on young people. The National Plan sets out a framework for action over the next 12 years and will be driven by a series of four three-year action plans. These Plans will support 88

Australian governments to work together to develop, implement and report progress within a coordinated national framework.

Each Action Plan will address agreed national outcomes, while allowing states and territories to act in locally relevant and responsive ways. The First Action Plan (2010–2013) – Building a Strong Foundation, establishes the groundwork for the National Plan putting into place the strategic projects and actions that will drive results over the longer term while also implementing high- priority actions in the short term. The Second Action Plan (2013–2016) is an opportunity to take stock, reflect on gaps, develop new actions and strengthen implementation. It will be about building and introducing practical national initiatives to reduce violence against women and their children.

Review of Funding for Schooling and Australian Government response The 2011 Review of Funding for Schooling (the ‘Gonski review’) was carried out with the aim of achieving a ‘fair, financially sustainable and effective’ funding system for Australian schools, focused on achieving the best outcomes for all students. In response to the review, the Australian Government introduced the Australian Education Bill 2012. This Bill proposes a National Plan for School Improvement and a shift towards needs-based funding for education. The aim of the plan is for Australia to be ranked, by 2025, as one of the top five highest performing countries based on the performance of Australia’s school students in reading, science and mathematics, and on the quality and equity of Australia’s education system.

Australian Curriculum The Shape of the Australian Curriculum version 4 was released in October 2012. This version built upon the first release in late 2010 which, for the first time, made available a set of curriculum materials for use in schools across Australia. The Australian Curriculum currently includes English, mathematics, science and history. Other subject areas are in development and will be progressively added (ACARA).

National Partnership Agreement on Youth Attainment and Transitions (2009–2013) The Partnership is a joint initiative of the Australian and State and Territory Governments and aims to increase participation of young people in education and training, increase attainment levels and improve successful transitions from school. It contains a package of elements, including:

• Strengthened participation requirements to encourage young people aged 15–20 to be engaged in education or training as a first priority, • Lifting qualification levels with the aim of 90 per cent of young people nationally attaining a Year 12 or equivalent qualification by 2015 (Victoria’s target is 92.6 per cent) with an accompanying education or training entitlement for young people aged 15–24, and • Support for successful transitions through the provision of youth career and transition programs.

Victorian The Blueprint for Early Childhood Development and School Reform Discussion Paper In 2008 the State Government released The Blueprint for Early Childhood Development and School Reform Discussion Paper. The Blueprint proposed the continued integration of preschool and child care and addressed the following key areas in its recommendations for reform:

• Partnerships with parents and communities, • System development and reform, and • Workforce reform.

The Blueprint’s main initiatives included: THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 89

• Stronger interventions and more intensive monitoring of under-performing schools, • Providing incentives for the best teachers and school leaders to work in schools where they are needed most, • A scheme to encourage high-performing graduates from other fields to enter teaching, • Improving transitions to school, • Integrating early childhood services with childcare, in partnership with the Federal Government, • Developing a new 0–8 learning and development framework that will be linked to existing learning standards in schools, • Improving participation in early childhood services to improve early identification of health and development problems, and • Supporting families to provide a home environment that supports development.

The Blueprint aims to explore opportunities to integrate early childhood services and schools. This will include the development of local planning models which examine co-location and assess the range of precinct activities and how these can be developed to achieve integration that supports improved coordinated delivery of learning, care and health services.

Growing, Learning and Thriving: Building on Victoria’s Achievements in Early Childhood Development In 2009 Growing, Learning and Thriving: Building on Victoria’s Achievements in Early Childhood Development was launched to advance the Blueprint’s Vision. The policy set out actions in five key areas to achieve increased access to high quality early childhood health, education and care for all Victorian children and to improve outcomes for disadvantaged young Victorians. It sets the early childhood reform agenda for 2010 and beyond:

• Encompassing services and resources that support children’s learning, health and development from birth to eight years of age, • Signalling the next wave of reform the Victorian Government is pursuing to drive improvement in early childhood outcomes, including immediate priorities and longer term reform directions, • Providing the strategic framework through which the Victorian Government will pursue national reform with other states and territories and the Commonwealth, and • Bringing coherence to the policy context for early childhood in Victoria.

Key actions included implementing:

• The workforce strategy Improving Victoria’s Early Childhood Workforce: Working to give children the best start in life, • The 0–8 Early Years Learning and Development Framework, and • Programs to assist vulnerable families to strengthen their home environment for learning.

The National Quality Framework in Victoria Most funded kindergarten programs in Victoria are now offered in approved education and care services operated by approved providers under the National Quality Framework, and assessed by the Regulatory Authority (DEECD) against the National Quality Standard to receive a quality rating. A small number of services providing kindergarten programs are not covered by the National Quality Framework and are instead licensed by the Victorian Children’s Services Act 1996 (Victorian Act) and Children’s Services Regulations 2009 (Victorian Regulations) or the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework is an overarching framework, which works in conjunction with the Victorian Essential Learning Standards and the Australian 90

Curriculum (AusVELS) for schools, the Maternal and Child Health Service Key Ages and Stages Framework, and Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECIS) resources. The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework advances all children’s learning and development from birth to eight years. It does this by supporting all early childhood professionals to work together and with families to achieve positive outcomes for all children.

Within the Framework, the term ‘early childhood professional’ includes any person who works with children between the ages of birth and eight years, encompassing: maternal and child health nurses, early childhood educators, school teachers, family support workers, preschool field officers, inclusion support facilitators, student support service officers, primary school nurses, primary welfare officers, early childhood intervention workers, and education officers in cultural organisations.

The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework:

• Identifies five early years learning and development outcomes for all children aged from birth to eight, which provide a shared language for all early childhood professionals and families to use when planning for children’s learning and development, • Describes the most effective ways for early childhood professionals to work together and with children and families by identifying eight practice principles for learning and development, categorised as collaborative, effective and reflective, and • Emphasises the importance of supporting children and families as they transition within and across services throughout the early childhood period.

This focus on transitions incorporates the Transition: A Positive Start to School initiative, which aims to improve children’s experience of starting school by enhancing the development and delivery of transition programs. The initiative also introduces a tool for families and educators to share information about a child’s learning and development in the form of a Transition Learning and Development Statement. All kindergarten services are required to prepare a Transition Learning and Development Statement for every child transitioning into school in the following year.

The Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework is an approved learning framework under the National Quality Framework and shares its outcomes with the National Early Years Learning Framework.

Victorian Early Childhood Workforce Strategy – Improving Victoria’s Early Childhood Workforce: Working to give children the best start in life The Victorian Early Childhood Workforce Strategy was launched in 2009. The strategy supports the development of a workforce that can respond to current challenges in early childhood including universal access. The following key initiatives of the strategy will assist in achieving Universal Access through supporting the recruitment and development of a greater number of early childhood educators:

• A scholarship fund that supports early childhood staff to upgrade or attain early childhood qualifications, • A scholarship fund that supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to upgrade or attain early childhood qualifications, • An incentive fund to attract early childhood staff to services in hard-to-staff locations, • A range of professional development programs to support professionals in the early childhood intervention services sector, • Professional development courses offered through the Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership, designed to the build capacity of leaders in early childhood settings, THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 91

• Professional development training, resources and advice through Gowrie Victoria, and • The Early Years Great Careers initiative, which aims to showcase a range of early childhood professions available in the sector. Professional training and development for early childhood professionals focuses on the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework The Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2013–2018, released in 2012, guides and coordinates the efforts of the Victorian Government in partnership with Victoria’s Aboriginal communities. The framework focuses long term, strategic and progressive effort to improve the health and quality of life of Aboriginal Victorians, and aligns closely with the targets of the Council of Australian Governments.

Victorian Wannik education strategy Wannik Learning Together — Journey to Our Future is an education strategy which aims to reduce disparity in educational outcomes between Koorie and non-Koorie students in Victoria. Taken from the Gunai/Kurnai language, wannik (pronounced ‘wunn-ick’) means ‘learning together - journey to our future’. Wannik represents a new era of collaboration within all Victorian schools. The system will reposition the education of Koorie students through a culture of strong leadership, high expectations and individualised learning.

The strategy proposes to:

• Reform the government school system’s education of Koorie students, • Support greater student engagement, • Provide more literacy and numeracy support, • Provide support and encouragement for high-achieving students, • Expand and develop the Koorie support workforce, • Renew our focus on parental engagement, and • Share responsibility appropriately across government. Victoria’s Advantage – Unity, Diversity, Opportunity

Victoria’s multicultural affairs and citizenship policy, Victoria’s Advantage – Unity, Diversity, Opportunity, identifies a whole of government response to the opportunities and challenges of Victoria’s diverse multicultural society. From early childhood services through to education, employment, health, justice and transport, every citizen, regardless of background, should expect the very best from their government. This policy emphasises a commitment to addressing discrimination and ensuring access to government services that are sensitive to cultural, linguistic and religious diversity.

Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children In 2012 the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry found that universal early education and care services were not as inclusive of vulnerable children and families as they should be. The Victorian Government’s response in the discussion paper Victoria’s Vulnerable Children — Our Shared Responsibility identified a responsibility shared by government and other services to work together “to prevent child abuse and neglect, reduce the impact when it does occur, and improve the outcomes for children and young people in the statutory child protection system.” The discussion paper emphasised the key role of the education system in achieving these goals noting: 92

Some vulnerable children and families need more help to engage with these services. Better access to services would enable [the Victorian Government] to intervene earlier to help families more effectively engage with the services they need to address their problems. Better engagement will lead to better outcomes.

Service providers receiving funding from DEECD are required to operate in accordance with the Protecting the Safety and Wellbeing of Children and Young People protocol, and must have policies in place that enable eligible children to access a kindergarten program, including those who face barriers to participation. Specifically for Kindergarten services DEECD provides funding, such as the Early Start Kindergarten grant and kindergarten fee subsidy, to promote participation of vulnerable children in funded kindergarten programs.

Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Strategy 2013–2022 – Our Shared Responsibility The Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Strategy 2013–2022 – Our Shared Responsibility was released by the Government in May 2013, outlining three strategic goals:

1. Prevent abuse and neglect, 2. Act earlier when children are vulnerable, and 3. Improve outcomes for children in statutory care.

The strategy takes a decade-long horizon view. It puts in place the aspiration and system framework that will drive sustained change. The strategy explicitly sets out what changes are sought for Victorian families and children and is underpinned by an investment of more than $650 million over the past three budgets for vulnerable children.

Early Childhood Agreement for Children in Out-of-Home Care The Early Childhood Agreement for Children in Out-of-Home Care aims to increase the participation of children in high quality childhood education and care, with a particular focus on Maternal and Child Health and kindergarten services. The Agreement represents a shared commitment to better support young children living in out-of-home-care to access MCH and kindergarten services by:

• Building capacity, collaboration and accountability across the service system, • Setting out clear roles and responsibilities for the different elements of the service system, and • Outlining a process for implementation of the agreement and for monitoring outcomes.

The Agreement is a partnership between the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Early Learning Association Australia.

Action Plan to Address Violence Against Women and Children – Everyone has a responsibility to act 2012–2015 Victoria’s Action Plan to Address Violence Against Women and Children – Everyone has a responsibility to act 2012–2015 (Action Plan) was launched in 2012. The Action Plan engages a range of Government areas and community sector organisations to enact a range of prevention, early intervention and response measures. Victorian Government initiatives to address violence against women and children fall within three streams:

• Preventing violence against women and children: changing attitudes and behaviours to promote respectful non-violent relationships and gender equity, • Intervening earlier: by identifying and targeting individuals and groups who exhibit early signs of violent behaviour or of being subjected to violence, and THE STATE OF MILDURA’S CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE 2014 93

• Responding through an integrated system: providing consistent, coordinated and timely responses to women and children who experience family violence and to get tougher on perpetrators and prevent reoffending. Strong People, Strong Culture, Strong Families: Towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities

In Victoria, the integrated family violence system involves the police, justice services, and the community services system. The 10 year Aboriginal family violence strategy: Strong People, Strong Culture, Strong Families: Towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities guides the development of Aboriginal services and policy in this area.

Youth Statement – Engage, Involve, Create In 2012 the Minister for Youth Affairs, the Hon. Ryan Smith, launched the Victorian Government’s Youth Statement, Engage, Involve, Create. Engage, Involve, Create outlines the Government’s vision for all Victorian young people to experience healthy, active and fulfilling lives and have the opportunity to:

• Be engaged in education and/or employment, • Be involved in their communities and decisions that affect them, and • Create change, enterprise and culture.

To achieve this, the government identified three priority areas:

• Getting young people involved, • Services that meet the needs of young people, and • Creating new ideas and partnerships.

Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2012), Australia’s health 2012. Australia’s health series no.13. Cat. no. AUS 156. Canberra: AIHW.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (2009), Kindergarten Cluster Management Policy Framework.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (2013), The Kindergarten Guide.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (2013), The State of Victoria’s Children 2012: Early Childhood. A report on how Victoria’s young children are faring.

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (2014), The Kindergarten Guide.

Impact Consulting Group (2010), Supporting Small Rural Kindergartens in Mildura Rural City Council.

Deakin Avenue Service Centre 76 Deakin Avenue, Mildura Madden Avenue Service Centre 108 Madden Avenue, Mildura Ouyen Service Centre 79 Oke Street, Ouyen Phone: (03) 5018 8100 PO Box 105, Mildura Vic 3502 1196 20140318 www.mildura.vic.gov.au